Ex-Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has called Chelsea striker Diego Costa a 'serial cheat'.
The Chelsea star was instrumental in the sending off of Per Mertesacker as Arsenal lost 1-0 to the blues at the weekend.
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Peter Hill-Wood has labelled Diego Costa 'serial cheat'.
Speaking to the Daily Star, Mr Hill-Wood said “He is a serial cheat and he gets away with it, I think he deliberately ran in front of Mertesacker, who hardly touched him.
“Yet Costa rolls around as if his legs have been cut off. Once the red card’s been shown, he’s suddenly perfectly all right again."
Hill-Wood, 79, added: “Personally I think the referee should have sent him off for diving. It’s very annoying because to me it is blatant.”
After Sunday loss, Arsenal are in third in the Premier League, three points behind leaders Leicester.
Is Diego Costa a 'serial cheat'?
Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League(01 of23)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Diego Costa of Chelsea is fouled during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at The Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Clive Mason via Getty Images)
Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League(02 of23)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Diego Costa of Chelsea reacts after he is brought down by Per Mertesacker of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) (credit:Catherine Ivill - AMA via Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-ARSENAL-CHELSEA(03 of23)
Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa reacts after being caught offside during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 24, 2016. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALLRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / AFP / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League(04 of23)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Diego Costa of Chelsea sits on the turf injured before being substituted during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Clive Mason via Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-ARSENAL-CHELSEA(05 of23)
Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa (2nd R) tries to grab Arsenal's Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey (L) when he doesn't get a decision during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 24, 2016. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALLRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / AFP / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-EVERTON(06 of23)
Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa (C) goes down under challenge from Everton's English defender John Stones (L) and Everton's English defender Phil Jagielka (R) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge in London on January 16, 2016. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNISRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / AFP / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images)
Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League(07 of23)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 13: Diego Costa (3rd R) of Chelsea squares off with Boaz Myhill (2nd R) of West Bromwich Albion after the final whistle of the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge on January 13, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Clive Mason via Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-WEST BROM(08 of23)
Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa appeals during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge in London on January 13, 2016. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALLRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 75 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. / AFP / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League(09 of23)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 13: Diego Costa of Chelsea reacts during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge on January 13, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Shaun Botterill via Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-WEST BROM(10 of23)
West Bromwich Albion's Northern Irish defender Gareth McAuley (R) vies with Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge in London on January 13, 2016. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 75 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. / AFP / IAN KINGTON (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:IAN KINGTON via Getty Images)
Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League(11 of23)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 13: Diego Costa of Chelsea is tackled by Jonny Evans of West Bromwich Albion during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge on January 13, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Clive Mason via Getty Images)
Crystal Palace v Chelsea - Premier League(12 of23)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 03: Diego Costa of Chelsea battles for the ball with Mile Jedinak of Crystal Palace during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park on January 3, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Paul Gilham via Getty Images)
Leicester City v Chelsea - Premier League(13 of23)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14: Diego Costa of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at the King Power Stadium on December 14, 2015 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) (credit:Catherine Ivill - AMA via Getty Images)
Leicester City v Chelsea - Premier League(14 of23)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14: Diego Costa of Chelsea clashes with Jamie Vardy of Leicester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at the King Power Stadium on December14, 2015 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Laurence Griffiths via Getty Images)
Chelsea FC v FC Porto - UEFA Champions League(15 of23)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Maicon of FC Porto steps in to intervene as Diego Costa of Chelsea clashes with Iker Casillas during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between Chelsea FC and FC Porto at Stamford Bridge on December 9, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Mark Leech Sports Photography/Getty Images) (credit:Mark Leech via Getty Images)
Chelsea FC v FC Porto - UEFA Champions League(16 of23)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Diego Costa of Chelsea argues with Bruno Martins Indi of FC Porto during the UEFA Champions League match between Chelsea and FC Porto at Stamford Bridge on December 9, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) (credit:Catherine Ivill - AMA via Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-BOURNEMOUTH(17 of23)
Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa (R) receives a yellow card from referee Mike Jones during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge in London on December 5, 2015. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLISRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
Stoke City v Chelsea - Premier League(18 of23)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Diego Costa of Chelsea and Geoff Cameron of Stoke City argue during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Chelsea at Britannia Stadium on November 7, 2015 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Laurence Griffiths via Getty Images)
Stoke City v Chelsea - Premier League(19 of23)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Diego Costa of Chelsea is blocked by referee Anthony Taylor after the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Chelsea at Britannia Stadium on November 7, 2015 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Laurence Griffiths via Getty Images)
Stoke City v Chelsea - Premier League(20 of23)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Diego Costa of Chelsea argues with Ryan Shawcross of Stoke City after the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Chelsea at Britannia Stadium on November 7, 2015 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Laurence Griffiths via Getty Images)
Chelsea FC v FC Dynamo Kyiv - UEFA Champions League(21 of23)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Diego Costa of Chelsea reacts during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between Chelsea and Dynamo Kyiv at Stamford Bridge on November 4, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Mark Leech Sports Photography/Getty Images) (credit:Mark Leech via Getty Images)
Chelsea FC v FC Dynamo Kyiv - UEFA Champions League(22 of23)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Diego Costa of Chelsea reacts during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between Chelsea and Dynamo Kyiv at Stamford Bridge on November 4, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) (credit:Catherine Ivill - AMA via Getty Images)
Chelsea FC v FC Dynamo Kyiv - UEFA Champions League(23 of23)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Diego Costa of Chelsea goes down in the penalty area under the challenge of Yevhen Khacheridi of Dynamo Kyiv during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between Chelsea FC and FC Dynamo Kyiv at Stamford Bridge on November 4, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (credit:Mike Hewitt via Getty Images)