Interview El Hadji Diouf:Bolton's controversial forward tells Dominic Fifieldthat while he sometimes courts unpopularity because it helps him play well he is really an uncomplicated sort who just loves his football

A flicker of irritation twitched across El Hadji Diouf's brow upon the mention of the dreaded D-word, recognition perhaps of a certain weariness at the re-emergence of an issue that is forever trying to trip him up. Blinged up to the eyeballs, with baseball cap twisted back and diamond ear-studs glistening, the self-styled Serial Killer juggled momentarily with how best to respond, broke into a toothy grin and opted against diving out of the way of onrushing controversy.

"Every player dives, not just me," he said, responding to the suggestion that simulation is considered less acceptable in the Premiership than abroad.

"If you see (Wayne) Rooney, how many times does he dive to get a penalty? It's just because it's me that people talk about it."

There is an innocence to the Senegalese forward which, off the pitch at least, is part of his charm, but it would also explain why intrigue pursues the former African Footballer of the Year. Against Arsenal at the Reebok Stadium this afternoon Diouf will attempt to revive Bolton's stuttering season, a five-match winless streak threatening to drag them back among the also-rans, though the visitors will be wary.

The 25-year-old's every touch prompts howls of derision from opposing supporters, his apparent propensity to tumble annoying fans, players and managers alike.

Already this season there have been complaints from Newcastle's players, during Bolton's 2-1 win on Tyneside in October, and the Walsall manager Richard Money after September's League Cup tie. The striker has previous.

In January, 2005 he tumbled theatrically over Brad Friedel to earn a penalty as Bolton won 1-0 at Blackburn. At the World Cup finals in 2002, there was a similar crumple as he weaved around the Uruguay goalkeeper Fabian Carini. In each case, television replays indicated no contact had been made.

Not that Diouf disputes it is a tactic he occasionally employs.

"Sometimes when I need to dive to get a penalty it's because, for me, the best footballer is a footballer who is very clever," he said.

"I don't leave my foot there so the guy can break my leg. I need to dive before the guy comes in. Sometimes the referee gives me a free-kick, sometimes he doesn't. The problem is that, sometimes, the referee is not good with me as well. I am fouled and he doesn't give me a penalty or a free-kick."

That may be a result of his reputation preceding him. At Everton last weekend Diouf was arguably fouled a handful of times without ever being given the benefit of the doubt by the official Uriah Rennie, though does he go down too easily?

"Not all the time," he added.

"Sometimes, yes. Like every player in the Premiership."

The striker who cost Liverpool £9.5 million when he was signed by Gerard Houllier from Lens in 2002 has learnt to thrive amid the vitriol. The abuse is a legacy not just of alleged gamesmanship, but of other controversies that have flared on and off the pitch. He has been sanctioned for spitting at the Portsmouth defender Arjan de Zeeuw and fans of Celtic and Middlesbrough. There has also been a 12-month ban for a drink-driving offence and, only last week, Greater Manchester Police said he would not face charges over an alleged assault on his wife Valerie.

Such incidents may reflect an underlying immaturity and certainly deflect attention from his innate talent. Away from the contest, he is an infectious character with a mischievous edge.

"Everybody thinks I'm a bad boy because of things like wearing my cap backwards and the bling-bling," he said. "But more important for me are the people I'm working with - Sam (Allardyce), the staff and the players, and those at Liverpool and Lens. People who know me know I'm a nice lad.

"Sam knows I'm not a bad lad or a crazy boy. I'm a player with faults and good qualities, and people have to accept that. Sam accepts that. Some managers do, others don't. I've played here for three years and I've never had a problem with anybody. I've never fought with anyone in the dressingroom or out on the pitch. I'm just a bad loser, that's all.

"I like being booed. Gary Speed told me when I was very angry out on the pitch that people never boo a bad player. Now it pumps me up. Let them boo me more. Sometimes I do something to get people against me, like at Everton last week. I pretended to give the ball to Gary at the kick-off but the referee wasn't happy and the crowd started booing immediately. I'd told Gary that I was going to do that. I wanted to get the crowd excited.

"But the best thing in the world is happiness. I'm very happy in my life and I love playing football. Sometimes when people kick me, I just laugh and when people get to know me I'm a nice guy. When I was at Liverpool I played in the League Cup final against Quinton Fortune and I fought with him. But, now, he's my team-mate here and we laugh and joke together."

Some opponents fail to see the funny side. In the recent draw at Sheffield United, Diouf resorted to Vinnie Jones tactics by pinching the home goalkeeper Paddy Kenny in a particularly sensitive area. Jens Lehmann, a goalkeeper not known for his tolerance in the box, would be riled by similar cheek today. Arsenal, as a club, will hardly be relishing their trip to the Reebok.

It is four years since the Gunners last won a league match there and they endured defeats in the Premiership and FA Cup last term, with Bolton - now bolstered by the former Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka - within 30 seconds of winning at Highbury to complete a hat-trick of successes. Thierry Henry has already told Diouf this week that he is not relishing a return.

"Arsene Wenger also told my agent that he doesn't like coming here because it's so hard to play us," added Diouf.

"They think it's too cold, but we know that against Arsenal we must battle.

"If we keep a clean sheet, we'll win the game. We mustn't let them have time to control the ball and pass it.

"Every time I've played against Arsenal here for Bolton we've made it really difficult for them. We close them down quickly. We don't let them have any time, and we can see they're not comfortable against us.

"Everybody knows Bolton Wanderers now. This year we have an opportunity. One day, it's going to happen, Bolton will play in the Champions League. But, for me, every day when I wake up, I tell myself that the best is yet to come."

Opponents should beware.

Guardian Service