Diego Costa's role in Gabriel red card must be looked at, says Arsene Wenger
Tuesday 22 September 2015 11:13, UK
Arsene Wenger wants referee Mike Dean to review Diego Costa's role in the red card awarded to Arsenal defender Gabriel in the 2-0 loss to Chelsea on Saturday.
The Gunners boss rebuked Dean for allowing the running feud between Costa and Gabriel to continue before the Arsenal defender was sent off on the stroke of half-time.
Both players had initially been booked but the spat carried on until Gabriel was shown red.
Dean will file his referee's report to the Football Association by Monday and they will decide whether Costa should face retrospective action and a possible three-match ban.
"[Dean] let it go and I don't know why," Wenger said.
"I would like Mike Dean to look at the whole action that happened during the game and see if he stands for his decision.
"You have a fourth official, you have a linesman, the referee and they talk all game. They can tell you and they know Diego Costa. He is not a newcomer.
"It is surprising. If I am a referee and I referee Diego Costa, I do not send somebody off quickly if he responds to it because you know he has been well provoked."
Gabriel became embroiled in a confrontation with Costa after the striker grappled with and squared up to Laurent Koscielny.
Former Villarreall defender Gabriel reacted angrily and Wenger admitted he is disappointed his player did not maintain his composure.
"You have to be above that," Wenger said.
"To be professional, to me, is to deal with that. You can spit in my face and if it's in a game then I will not respond. I do not guarantee that outside of the game.
"The desire to win has to be above all of that.
"We are equipped to respond but we always have to keep control of our response."
