Arsenal down to 3rd in Premier League after Chelsea loss

Mertesacker made the challenge but I said he got Mertesacker sent off, you cannot say it’s not true.

Costa had goaded Gabriel into kicking out at him in September’s reverse fixture, earning the Arsenal centre-back a red card, and Wenger told a TV interviewer: “He has got two (Arsenal) players sent off this season”.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger at his side’s Premier League match against Chelsea at the Emirates … Those are only facts. “I thought that was the most rational decision when all the factors were included in that decision”.

The Dutch man said Fabregas’ mental reaction to his former club helped the team perform, which eventua;;y led to their victory at the Emirate stadium.

“I can’t influence the decision of the referee. I am not blaming him of anything – it’s exactly what happened”. “That’s what we did”.

The Frenchman added: “That is part of a striker’s game of course, and Costa is very good at that”.

When quizzed on Costa, he said: “You want me to say things I am not interested in”.

“It was not a confrontational situation like it was at Chelsea“. I don’t think it was linked with any bad behaviour or attitude.

Speaking to Arsenal.com after the game, Cech tackled the thorny issue of Per Mertesacker’s dismissal: “The referee was very close”.

Arsene Wenger’s side were left in third place, level on points with Manchester City but three behind leaders Leicester City, who beat Stoke City 3-0 on Saturday. “I was very disappointed because in recent games we have lost we have had really harsh decisions against us [like] at Southampton and today”.

But Wenger remained happy with his team’s showing: “The team [after the red card] was focused and fought until the last second”.

“It was a big win because we are in a bad position in the table and every point for us is important, especially when you play against Arsenal in this stadium where it is always hard. I make the decision and for me it was a normal decision”.

Diego Costa’s 23rd minute strike was the difference between the sides as Arsenal missed the chance to move to the top of the Premier League. “There was no doubt”, he said.

“I would like to see the image and then I give a fair judgement but what I saw was he was tripped”.

But for once it wasn’t a confrontation or a dirty action, as the Spain global got in front of Per Mertesacker and was fouled by the defender… resulting in a red card. “It was obvious I think”.