ARSENAL ON THREAT :EPL CHASE

All attention today will no doubt be focused on the Arsenal, Chelsea EPL clash at the Emirates. Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger says his side must be prepared to battle Chelsea striker Diego Costa. Costa was at the centre of controversy in their last meeting earlier this season as his first-half scuffles with Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel eventually led to the Brazilian being sent off for retaliating. Gabriel’s red card was later rescinded, but the defender was given a one-match suspension for failing to leave the pitch quickly enough, while Costa was slapped with a three-match ban and both clubs were fined for not controlling their players. “We have to be prepared for a battle because Costa gives you a fight. After that, it’s down to the referee,” Wenger told British media. “We have to focus on our performance. It’s another game where people look at us and see how we behave. “It will be an intense game, as usual in the Premier League. Overall, I think because of the qualities of the players on the pitch and what is at stake for both teams, it will be a very intense battle.” Costa seems to have recovered from his slump, having scored five goals in his last five appearances in all competitions for champions Chelsea, who are 14th in the table after 22 games. Talking about yesterday’s games, Nigerian international, Odion Ighalo rediscovered his scoring touch as his 14th minute strike saw him net his 14th EPL goal of the season as Watford managed a 2-1 win over struggling Newcastle. The win is the first for the Vicarage road landlords in six games. Manchester United playing at home suffered a humiliating defeat in the hands of Southampton with fans of the club calling for the immediate sack of Luis Van Gaal. In fact the fans at the Man United theatre of dream-Old Trafford booed the coach as he made his way out of the pitch. Elsewhere at the Kings Power stadium, team of the season, Leicester returned to the top with an emphatic 3-0 bashing of Osaze Odemwingie’s Stoke City.