Diego Costa should have been sent off, insists Arsene Wenger as Rio Ferdinand labels Chelsea striker a petulant baby

By Elliott Bretland for MailOnline

Published: 08:24 EST, 19 September 2015 | Updated: 10:50 EST, 19 September 2015

Arsene Wenger insists Diego Costa should have been sent off after appearing to strike Laurent Koscielny in the face during the Gunners' 2-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.

Costa initially grappled with Koscielny before lashing out at Gabriel who, clearly irked, later backed into the Spain international before flicking out with his studs and was subsequently sent off by referee Mike Dean.

Wenger appeared furious with the decision and told BT Sport after the game: 'I think Diego Costa is a red card and I wouldn’t like to be Mike Dean tonight because I can not understand the situations.

Diego Costa appeared to lash out at Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel which led to the latter being sent off

Diego Costa appeared to lash out at Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel which led to the latter being sent off

Chelsea star Costa appeared to strike Arsenal defender Koscielny in the face as the pair grappled in the box

Chelsea star Costa appeared to strike Arsenal defender Koscielny in the face as the pair grappled in the box

Koscielny and Petr Cech hold Gabriel back after he approached Costa following the incident

Koscielny and Petr Cech hold Gabriel back after he approached Costa following the incident

'Diego Costa, twice, should have been sent off with Koscielny. Look at the situation before the cross comes in. He hits him in the face on purpose and he makes a fuss of it.

'In every game he uses aggravation and gets away with it because of the weakness of the referees. We are guilty because we gave in on that and responded to it.'

However, when asked about the incident, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho didn't see any problem with Costa's conduct and replied: 'I don't know where you see controversy. For me there is no controversy. I think I have played against Arsenal 15, 16 times and only once they didn't moan.

'It was a fantastic performance. He played the game like it has to be played.'

Costa and Gabriel were both booked by referee Mike Dean following the confrontation

Costa and Gabriel were both booked by referee Mike Dean following the confrontation

Clearly irked, Gabriel flicked his boot at Costa in full view of referee Dean during Saturday's lunchtime kick off

Clearly irked, Gabriel flicked his boot at Costa in full view of referee Dean during Saturday's lunchtime kick off

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists Costa should have been sent off for hitting out at Koscielny

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists Costa should have been sent off for hitting out at Koscielny

Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand slammed Costa and described the striker as a petulant baby after the Chelsea star's clash with the Arsenal defence. 

Ferdinand was less than impressed with the Chelsea striker's actions which led to Gabriel's dismissal and said: 'Costa acts like a petulant baby. He's a liability, a ticking time bomb. He's a fantastic player but he has to get back to playing football.'  

Asked by presenter Jake Humphrey if he would have Costa in his team, Ferdinand looked less than convinced and shook his head.

Rio Ferdinand described Costa has a petulant baby, a ticking time bomb and a liability after the incident

Rio Ferdinand described Costa has a petulant baby, a ticking time bomb and a liability after the incident

Gabriel leaves the field of play after being shown red during first half injury time at Stamford Bridge

Gabriel leaves the field of play after being shown red during first half injury time at Stamford Bridge

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