The Spain striker was embroiled in a spat which saw Arsenal’s Gabriel sent off in the champions’ 2-0 win in September, while also clashing with Laurent Koscielny in that game.
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Arsenal’s defeat means they have only taken two points from their last three games, but I do not see their recent form as real cause for concern for their title hopes.
Addressing the print media shortly after, the Arsenal manager backtracked, saying that he had only been stating “facts”, but maintained that referee Mark Clattenburg’s decision had been “harsh”.
Norwich defender Sebastian Bassong looked to have salvaged a point with a stoppage-time header before Adam Lallana decided the outcome of a roller-coaster game with Liverpool’s victor to move Juergen Klopp’s inconsistent side up to seventh. I’m also pleased with the way the team tried to play – it was not just reactive, but proactive in the first part of the first half.
As Chelsea’s captain John Terry claimed, his team were on top even before the sending off.
I don’t think it was linked with any bad behaviour or attitude. “A fact is a fact, I do not accuse him of anything”.
Tetchy Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger defended his decision to sacrifice 18-goal top-scorer Olivier Giroud following Per Mertesacker’s early dismissal after his side’s title bid stuttered against old foes Chelsea yesterday.
Sanchez is expected back in the squad for Sunday’s game against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium after being sidelined with a hamstring injury since November.
Arsenal has been playing brilliantly throughout this season and as a result, they are third on the table with 44 points in the 22 matches played, below on goal difference from Manchester City but have played one less than them and two points above Tottenham.
It would be very hard for Chelsea to beat Arsenal at their home as they are very unsafe to play against but Chelsea needs to step up and take the challenge in front of them. The team knows it’s a big gap but I always want to see the ambition of the team.
“The team were focused and resilient, fighting to the last second”.
A frustrated Wenger told reporters he had not seen the red- card incident again, but noted Costa’s role in it.
Hiddink said: “With that gap, it’s hard to go into fourth position”.
“If the captain says yes, then we’ll follow the captain!”
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Costa proved the key figure on Sunday before making way for substitute Loic Remy midway through the second half.
