Koscielny – Why I didn’t react to Costa slap

Arsenal central defender Laurent Koscielny has finally opened the lid on events between him and Diego Costa.

The Frenchman, currently on international duty with the likes of Olivier Giroud, had an altercation with the Chelsea centre-forward during the Gunners’ 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge. During an off-the-ball incident, Costa slapped Koscielny across the face a number of times before going on to rile up Gabriel, who was in turn sent off for his involvement in the incident.

With Koscielny refusing to retaliate to the Spaniard’s questionable decision, the Arsenal stalwart admitted he had to act maturely, but received messages earning plaudits from friends and family.

At the time, when he gives me a slap on the face, I don’t pay attention.

We’re in a defensive situation and I continue to play. After he pushes me, I fall and get up because I’m not the type of player who drops down like that.

Sure, I could have had a reaction, but I managed to keep my nerves.

He wants to blow a defender’s fuse but you have to stay calm.

I received a lot of messages telling me: ‘Well done, because I, I would have hit him.’

You know, it’s five years that I’ve been at Arsenal, I have over two hundred matches with my team, some very important, I played a World Cup, the Euros. All this experience helps my serenity and allows me to not be overwhelmed by the emotions of an encounter.

Koscielny is currently away with his nation, who face Germany on Friday night before taking on the Three Lions – as all three sides look to prepare for Euro 2016, which is being hosted by the French next summer.

When the 30-year-old returns to north London, his side will face West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.