Arsene Wenger admits he regrets not signing Chelsea striker Diego Costa

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he regrets missing out on the signing of Chelsea forward Diego Costa in 2014.

The Spaniard moved to Stamford Bridge in a £32million deal from Atletico Madrid.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed great success against Arsenal but caused controversy last season when he was involved with bust-ups with Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista in Chelsea’s 2-0 win in October.

Costa’s expected to start when Chelsea travel to the Emirates for the late kick-off on Saturday and Wenger’s admitted he would have done more to sign the striker had he known he would leave La Liga.

‘I like Costa as a player,’ said Wenger.

‘I like the qualities of the player. All the rest around is not needed. He’s a very strong player. He looks, since the start of the season, to have cleaned up his act, that he behaves more focused on the game. And that makes him more dangerous

‘I never thought he would leave Atlético Madrid at the time, I was surprised.

‘Would I have made a harder play for him had I known? Yes. I like him, as a quality striker.

‘Costa is similar to [Didier] Drogba. I like the qualities of the player. All the rest around is not needed.’