Laurent Koscielny feels experience is the key to fend off Diego Costa's on-field theatrics

Koscielny kept his cool even after Diego Costa tried to instigate him

Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny believes that he was right to avoid Diego Costa’s antics on the field, according to L'Equipe. The Spaniard quite clearly slapped him during the match between Chelsea and Arsenal in September. However, referee Mike Dean chose not to show the red card to Costa in a match where two Arsenal players, Gabriel Paulista and Santi Cazorla were sent off.

"At the time, when he gives me a slap and puts his hand on my face, I don't pay attention," the France international said of the incident with Costa.

"We're in a defensive situation and I continue to play. After that, he pushes me, I fall and I get up again because I'm not the type of player who goes down like that. Of course I could have had a reaction but I managed to keep my cool.”

The 30-year old also talked about Diego Costa’s shenanigans on the football field and how he tries to instigate opponents.

"When you play against Costa, you know that he's very keen on physical contact. He wants to make a defender blow his fuse but you have to know how to stay calm."

The Brazil-born striker was subsequently suspended by the FA for three matches and Gabriel’s red card was also invalidated. Koscielny revealed that he received messages from his friends stating that they would have hit Costa and he did well to keep his cool.

"After the game, I received a good few messages saying, 'well done, because me, I would have hit him.' You know, I've been at Arsenal for five years now, I've played over 200 matches with my team, some of which were very important, I've played at a World Cup, the Euros. All that experience contributes to my serenity and allows me not to be overwhelmed by the emotions of a match."

The Arsenal centre-back has been in brilliant form this season. He has helped his team to six clean sheets in the league thus far. Moreover, the Gunners have let in nine goals from the twelve matches, equal to league leaders Manchester City and only Manchester United has conceded less than them at eight.

Koscielny explained how he goes about the match and helps his teammates.

"It's true that I'm more focused in every situation in the game," the France international said.

"I'm trying not only to win my duels but also to send the ball back to a teammate when I do win it. I want to restart [an attack] cleanly, quickly, keeping the ball on the ground as often as possible, avoiding silly mistakes. Yes, thanks to better concentration, I'm more relaxed."