Diego Costa vs Gabriel video: The Chelsea striker and Arsenal defender involved in heated clash back while playing in Spain back in 2013

Is this the real reason for Saturday's row which resulted in Gabriel red card?

Sunday 20 September 2015 08:19 EDT

Diego Costa and Gabriel square up before the Arsenal defender's sending off (Getty Images)

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Chelsea striker Diego Costa was involved in a heated clash wit Arsenal defender Gabriel during the Blues 2-0 win on Saturday. But why was he (even more) wound up than usual? The pair have history...

During the 2013/14 season, when Gabriel played for Villarreal Madrid and Costa played for Atletico Madrid, Costa elbowed Gabriel in the stomach while he was marking up during a free-kick, resulting in the centre-back falling to the ground in theatrical fashion. Neither player was booked (watch video below).

After the match, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Costa should have been sent off not once, but twice for his involvement in Gabriel's red card: "I would not like to be Mike Dean tonight," said Wenger after the game. "Costa twice should be sent off. He hits him [Koscielny] in the face on purpose.

"In every game he has aggravation and he gets away with it because of the weakness of the referee. We knew before the game he is only looking at that.

"Gabriel should not have responded at all but the two sending offs for us and Costa staying on the pitch is a shame."

WATCH: COSTA CLASHES WITH GABRIEL IN 2013

The incident on Saturday involved Costa pushing Gabriel's centre-back partner Laurent Koscielny. Gabriel then appeared and was booked, along with Costa. Walking away from the melee, Costa followed Gabriel, shouted at him before Gabriel reacted and kicked out a leg, which resulted in him being given a red card by referee Mike Dean.

Gabriel and Diego Costa during the Atletico and Villarreal game in 2013 (GETTY IMAGES)

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