Arsenal: How can the Gunners defense deal with Diego Costa?

Arsenal’s defense has shown plenty of frailty in recent weeks, which is what Diego Costa thrives on.

Arsenal has endured yet another disappointing season. They find themselves in sixth position, with the top four looking less and less likely with each passing day. That said, it’s important that Arsenal win the Europa League in order to salvage something this season. This is something that Diego Costa will try to prevent.

Diego Costa is the enemy of many Arsenal fans, due to his time at London rivals Chelsea. The Spanish striker returned to his former club Atletico Madrid, which is who Arsenal will face in the semifinals of the Europa League.

Recently, Carrusel Deportivo wrote on Twitter that Diego Costa would be fit in time for his side’s clash with former rivals Arsenal. Of course, this is a narrative which Arsenal fans have become accustomed to over the years.

Diego Costa is a player who likes to torment his opposing defenders. Similarly, his weakness lies within himself being tormented, which is something Arsenal fans have seen in recent meetings with the Spaniard.

In the FA Cup final last year, when Arsenal played Chelsea, the Arsenal defense managed to keep Costa at bay. Of course, he did get on the score-sheet, but his chances were limited by the Gunners.

In this match, Rob Holding got into his head, as he signaled himself. The Arsenal fans loved this display of ruthlessness from their young defender, and they’ll be hoping it’s replicated this time around.

Costa has scored one goal and assisted once in his three Europa League performances, which isn’t a great statistic considering how Atletico Madrid have rampaged past their opponents this year.

To deprive Costa of any real chances in this tie, the Arsenal defense must stick close to him, and not give him any time to work. They must be a little rough, but at the same time, be careful not to give away any unnecessary fouls.

Of course, this still leaves Antoine Griezmann. Despite all his talent, Antoine Griezmann isn’t one to make things tick by himself. If Costa is out of the picture, then Griezmann will be deprived of a partner.

This is a tough ask, I’m aware of that. Arsenal’s defense isn’t the most solid, and they’ve given away far too many silly goals this season. Coming up against Diego Costa and Antoine Griezmann is the last thing they would have hoped for, but that’s just football.

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Arsenal are renowned for pulling magic out of the bag when it’s required, and it certainly is required here. Do you think the Arsenal defense will manage to freeze Diego Costa?