Chelsea beat 10-man Arsenal at Emirates Stadium

Arsenal missed out on the chance to regain top spot in the Premier League after losing 1-0 at home to London rivals Chelsea on Sunday.

The Gunners never fully recovered from defender Per Mertesacker’s 18th-minute red card, awarded by referee Mark Clattenburg after he hauled down Costa as the striker raced clear.

Costa scored the winning goal at the Emirates, but minutes before had been played through on goal and drew a challenge from the German – who was Arsenal’s last defender.

Arsene Wenger bemoaned the influence of Diego Costa as the Chelsea striker once again proved a thorn in 10-man Arsenal’s side.

While Arsenal were left three points below leaders Leicester City, Chelsea put seven points between themselves and the bottom three to ease any worst-case-scenario relegation fears that their fans may be harbouring.

“The team knows it’s a big gap but I always want to see the ambition of the team”. I do not accuse him of anything.

Mertesacker was shown a straight red card for felling Costa after he had latched onto a through-ball from Willian.

“It was frustrating, of course, but it’s a decision we have to take on the chin and get on with our job”.

The last time the sides met in September, Costa was also heavily involved as Arsenal lost 2-0 and had two players sent off. “I made the decision and for me it was quite normal”, Wenger told reporters.

Captain John Terry believes a top-four place and Champions League qualification is not beyond them, but fourth-placed Tottenham are 14 points ahead with 15 games to go.

“He is strategically very strong”, said Hiddink.

The returning Cesc Fabregas had a strong penalty claim turned down early in the second half, with Wenger then turning to Alexis Sanchez from the bench as the Chilean made his comeback after two months out with a hamstring problem. “This is the first match in the Premier League for me”.

Costa would soon be withdrawn as Guus Hiddink took the tiring protagonist out of the firing line and replaced him with Loic Remy at the midway point of the half.