Diego Costa proved to be the scourge of 10-man Arsenal once again by playing a pivotal role in Chelsea’s 1-0 Premier League victory at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
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Although the hosts would have argued that Laurent Koscielny could have made up the ground to challenge the Spaniard, Mark Clattenburg saw otherwise and dismissed the towering centre back to immediately put the home side on the back foot.
In the 18th minute came the game’s decisive moment.
Things only got more frustrating for Wenger and his men as the game went on, particularly in the closing stages as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
Chelsea moved up to 13th, while Arsenal were left in third place, level on points with Manchester City but three behind leaders Leicester City. Willian played through a attractive ball for Diego Costa, and it forced Per Mertesacker to cut down the Brazilian who was clean through on goal.
Arsenal suffered a very early setback when Costa latched onto a ball over the top of their defence.
Costa, an unpopular character with Arsenal supporters for his antics in the reverse fixture back in September, opened the scoring seconds later by slamming home Branislav Ivanovic’s cross.
Chelsea continued to dominate through to half-time, with Ivanovic having a headed effort cleared off the line shortly before the break. The last chance of the half came with the last kick of the half and it was the Gunners’s best.
Chelsea had the first few opportunities, forcing Petr Cech into a save two minutes in and seeing a cutback defended well after five minutes.
Guus Hiddink’s side then were then dealt a blow when Costa picked up a knock was replaced by Loic Remy.
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With Wenger watching anxiously from the corner of his technical area, a late chance fell to Flamini, but his deflected back-heel was fielded by Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
