Diego Costa is a 'serial cheat', says ex-Arsenal chairman

Diego Costa is a "serial cheat" who delierately gets players sent off, according to former Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood.

The controversial Chelsea striker played a key role in the 1-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday where Per Mertesacker became the latest Arsenal player to see red against Costa.

Mertesacker was sent-off in the 18th minute for a late challenge on the Spaniard, who was running towards goal. The 27-year-old, who controversially got Gabriel sent off at Stamford Bridge earlier this season, then netted the winning goal five minutes later.

“He is a serial cheat and he gets away with it,” Hill-Wood told the Star. “I think he deliberately ran in front of Mertesacker, who hardly touched him.

“Yet Costa rolls around as if his legs have been cut off. Once the red card’s been shown, he’s suddenly perfectly all right again.

“That’s because there’s absolutely nothing wrong with him. There certainly wasn’t soon after when he scored that goal.

“Personally I think the referee should have sent him off for diving. It’s very annoying because to me it is blatant.”

Costa was taken down by Mertesacker

The result meant Arsenal have now gone nine Premier Leagues without beating Chelsea and have failed to score in the last six league meetings between the two clubs, stretching over 572 minutes.

A victory would have sent Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League table, but Wenger’s men now trail leaders Leicester City by three points and have taken just two points from their last three games.

Asked after the game about Mertesacker’s red card, Wenger said: “I think it was quick and harsh, but I have to watch it again. The referee made a decision and we have to get on with it. Costa got two players sent off in two games on our side. So he's clever.”