Arsenal defender speaks on famous conflict with Diego Costa which led to Chelsea’s downfall

In a recent interview, Arsenal’s defender Gabriel Paulista clarified that there is no bitterness between himself and Chelsea striker, Diego Costa, despite their rift during the Chelsea vs Arsenal match at Stamford Bridge that the home team won 2-0.

Paulista was sent off for his heel contact against Costa’s leg which was later dismissed by the Football Association as misjudgement handing Costa a three-match ban and one-match suspension for Paulista along with a fine.

The 25 year old has spoken about the episode and said that there is no bad blood between the two. Paulista got himself booked for standing up for his team-mate Koscielny against Costa.

“That’s how I am,” said Paulista. “I will always stand up for the ones I love. We have affection for our team mates because we spend most of our time with them. Sometimes we spend more time with our team-mates than our families. This is my instinct I always stand up for my team-mates. That’s who I am.”

“As for Costa, it was an affectionate exchange! It’s something that happens in a football match. It was in the moment. We have turned that page. I was in the Brazil squad with Filipe Luis and those two are good friends. I sent him [Costa] a voice message as a friend. We are good friends. It’s something that happens on the pitch and it is passed. Diego is a good person.”

The two had a similar heated moment in 2013, when the Brazilian International played for Villareal and Costa for Atletico Madrid, but Paulista admitted that it is all in the heat of the moment. “When we are on the pitch we are different people,” he said. “Diego is a different person and so am I. When we clash there are sparks!”
The two will face each other again on January 24th when Arsenal will host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium for the Premier League fixture. Chelsea has parted ways with Jose Mourinho and now has Guus Hiddink as its interim manager till the end of the season.