You can always rely on Chelsea v Arsenal to throw up a controversy or two.
Normally it’s the two managers who find themselves the centre of attention – and the headlines – after the sides meet but this time it was all about Chelsea striker Diego Costa.
With the first half drawing to a close, Costa led Gabriel Paulista on a merry dance which ended with the Arsenal defender getting a red card.
Somehow Costa managed to stay on the pitch despite the Brazilian-turned-Spaniard thrusting his hands into Laurent Koscielny’s face, then swinging an arm at the Arsenal defender and finally, getting involved in some afters with Gabriel.
The Arsenal man fell for Costa’s skulduggery hook, line and sinker and ended up flicking a David Beckham-esque kick at the Chelsea man, leading to a second yellow card and Arsene Wenger’s side were forced to play the second half with 10 men.
But Costa’s display of the dark arts was so majestic that Twitter reacted in sheer admiration.
https://twitter.com/Knox_Harrington/status/645214331798487040
Costa stitched Gabriel up like a kipper there. Arsenal understandably annoyed by Costa but Gabriel should never have fallen for it
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) September 19, 2015
Diego Costa = Evil Genius.
— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) September 19, 2015
Perfect rope-a-dope from Costa. Should know how he plays by now.
— Matthew Stanger (@MatthewStanger) September 19, 2015
https://twitter.com/JamesPorteous/status/645214000653832192
Costa is the king of shithousery
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) September 19, 2015
https://twitter.com/andi_thomas/status/645213698403999744
https://twitter.com/andi_thomas/status/645213979883782144
Diego Costa. King of the World.
— Phil Blundell (@PhilBlundell) September 19, 2015
Absolutely sensational skulduggery from Diego Costa. Can't believe that. Sledgehammer for Arsenal from Gabriel.
— Mike Keegan (@MikeKeegan_DM) September 19, 2015
@eaamalyon Could be the best in the modern era. He's sensational at it.
— Simon Clancy (@SiClancy) September 19, 2015
