“I make the decision and for it was normal.”
“I can’t influence the decision of the referee. I thought it was harsh and we had to cope with it.
“I don’t know what to say. It is a few games now that has happened. All we can do is keep our focus and fight.
“That is the game of the striker. Diego Costa is good at that.
“The referee was very quick to take the red card out. We coped with the decision well and should have had a draw at least.
“We had the chances to get a draw. Mentally we were focused. Sometimes when you lose you can still say ‘well done’ to the players.”
“It is a big win. We are in a bad position and every point is important.
“It is always hard playing Arsenal in this stadium but I think we deserved to win.
“I am sure, until the end of the season, that we are still a big team and we can win something. This win will give us more confidence for the future.
“When you have 1-0 in the last five or six minutes you want to keep that. When we sat back a bit they had some crosses. They had some chances but we deserved to win. Today was the real Chelsea.”
“That was a major decision at the start of the game and gave the advantage to Chelsea. For 60 minutes, we were the better team and showed great character, we just needed a bit of luck to find the net.
“The referee made the decision to give the red card and he had a clear view, if there was contact then it was the correct decision because Per Mertesacker was the last man.
“They could sit back and control the game, we had to sit deeper and wait for our opportunities, in the second half we were more aggressive and I thought we did well. We had some half chances and some moment where we were close but could not find the equaliser.”
We had some very good attacks before the red card, Willian had a couple of good opportunities. The red card makes it a bit easier but Arsenal can play well with a man down.
“I like the team playing how they did today, regardless of the gap between here and fourth place. We still have two cups at stake. We were unbeaten in seven before this but it was not satisfying because a lot were draws. I hope we have made the first step to being unbeaten with pride.”
“It is a good three points and gets us up the league. We’ve drawn too may of late so we needed to pick up three points
“Mentally we were sound and on top. As soon as they had the man sent off they sat back so we pressed up higher and won the ball back. We are delighted with the win.
“Anything is doable. Everybody is beating everybody else. It is a tough league and if we put a run together we have a good chance (of fourth). We will fight until there are no points to play for.”
“I’m nearly there, I think I’m feeling very sharp I think my brain is much quicker than maybe the last few months.
“I struggled for a little but I don’t know really why but the sharpness is back.
“I feel that under pressure I’m much more in control I’m not shaky . My team-mates made it always easier for me, but definitely in the last year probably I’m in the best form right now.”
Per Mertesacker saw red as Arsenal again missed the chance to go top of the Premier League.
The Gunners played over 70 minutes of their clash with London rivals Chelsea as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat.
Controversial striker Diego Costa found the net minutes after the red card, for which he was brought down by Mertesacker.
The result means that while Chelsea continue their climb away from the bottom of the table, Arsenal remain in third place - three points behind leaders Leicester.
But did any of the Gunners impress? And how did Cesc Fabregas do on his Emirates return?
When in the mood, Chelsea are still an incredibly good team. The Premier League table might suggest otherwise, but the squad which won the title at a canter last season is still there.
They must find some consistency, unity and some new players.
But the core is still there. They just need to play Arsenal every week.
Nice touch by Arsenal. They gave Walcott the captain’s armband, he led the teams out and tossed the coin before kick-off.
It is to mark his ten years at the club. It’s a touch sentimental, granted. But it probably made Walcott feel proud and, ultimately, Per Mertesacker - who would normally captain the team - was happy to pass on the honour.
But can you really afford sentiment in such a big game? And does it make a difference? The answer is probably no to both.
Well, he was never quick off the mark. But the red card against Costa exposed his pace – or lack of it.
Maybe, just maybe, referee Mark Clattenburg reached for his pocket because he knew Mertesacker against Costa was such a mismatch. Was there contact? There was some doubt.
Mertesacker has been brilliant for Arsenal. No doubt about it. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. But, as Arsenal look to evolve and strengthen each summer, maybe Mertesacker will find himself eased out, By Gabriel at first and then possibly a new signing in the longer term.
Just to tease Arsenal fans, they had Sol Campbell on the pitch at half time. How they could do with him now.
Have they got the mentality to win a title? Do they have enough spirit and strength? Well, after this game it’s a fair question.
These big games are the ones where you find out about focus, strength of mind and determination. It also helps you send out a message that you can win big games, you can pass the big tests.
Yet again, Arsenal were found wanting. They’ve won some big games - notably against both Manchester clubs at the Emirates this season - but this was yet another one which will raise more questions about their mentality.
So, did we learn this? No. But it confirmed from what we found out in September.
Back then, Costa got Gabriel sent off in a game which also saw Santi Cazorla get his marching orders as Arsenal finished with nine men.
So it’s hardly surprising that Costa was the biggest influence at the Emirates as well.
Costa was taken down by Per Mertesacker, the Arsenal defender saw red and then Costa scored the opener. Good job, Diego. Your work here is done. In a scrappy, nasty, snarling game, there’s few better players to have on your team.
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