Wenger blames Costa, but admits: I didn’t see it

Matt Stead

Arsene Wenger believes Diego Costa “got Per Mertesacker sent off” for Arsenal against Chelsea – but the manager admits he didn’t see the incident.

Back in the first meeting of the season between the two clubs in September, Costa tussled with Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel, who was sent off, and on Sunday drew a foul from Per Mertesacker which saw the German dismissed at the Emirates Stadium in Chelsea’s 1-0 win. Here are 16 conclusions on the game.

The Chelsea striker then netted his sixth goal in six games to dent the Gunners’ title hopes and extend their winless league run against their London rivals to nine games.

Wenger told Sky Sports 1: “Mertesacker made the challenge but I said he got Mertesacker sent off, you can not say it’s not true.

“I haven’t seen it again, I said in the first game he got Gabriel sent off and today he got Mertesacker sent off. A fact is a fact, I do not accuse him of anything, it’s just what happened.”

Asked about the incident later in his post-match press conference, Wenger said: “I said Costa got two of our players sent off in the last two games against Chelsea. Those are only facts.

“Is the decision right or wrong? I don’t know. That is a fact, without accusing him of anything.”

Wenger had not seen the incident again nor spoken to Mertesacker, but described referee Mark Clattenburg’s decision in the 18th minute as “quick and harsh”.

“The referee made a decision and we have to get on with it,” Wenger said.

“I didn’t know if Costa was offside or not, or if Per Mertesacker touched him or not. I don’t know.

“It was of course frustrating, but it’s a decision we have to take on the chin and get on with our job. That’s what we did.”

The Frenchman declined to address Costa’s role further, but rued his side’s inability to make the most of the opportunity against a Chelsea side whose title defence has fallen apart this season.

“I would not compare today’s situation,” Wenger said.

“It was not a confrontational situation like it was at Chelsea.

“It was a fact of a game and a decision of a referee. I don’t think it was linked with any bad behaviour or attitude.