Arsene Wenger: 'Diego Costa got Per Mertesacker sent off'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has slammed the way that Chelsea striker Diego Costa fell to the floor and seemingly pretended to be injured when Per Mertesacker was sent off in Sunday's Premier League match at the Emirates.

Mertesacker slid in on Costa as the Spanish striker was breaking through on goal and replays showed that there appeared to be little contact from the German defender.

Referee Mark Clattenburg deemed that Mertesacker had obstructed Costa as the last man and sent off the Arsenal man in the 18th minute. Five minutes later Costa scored the only goal of the game as Chelsea extended their unbeaten run under Guus Hiddink to eight games.

In the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge in September, Costa was also the centre of attention when he tangled with Gabriel Paulista and helped get the Brazilian sent off.

When asked about today's incident, Wenger told Sky Sports News: "He has got two players sent off this season. He is clever.

"Mertesacker made the challenge, but [Costa] got him sent off. I am accusing him of nothing but that is what happened."

With defeat, Arsenal, who have not scored and conceded 11 in their last six league games against Chelsea, stay third in the table and miss the chance to go back to the top.