Diego "the guv'nor" Costa

[big blue]

I think this squad would have really struggled to cope if we had gotten further in the champs league and f.a. cup.

I think Mourinho needs to put more faith in the squad players if we are to challenge on all fronts next season.

I heard we only have 13 players that have started more than 5 leagues games this season, which one of the lowest in the prem. Bearing in mind we are a club that can play 60 games a season, I more rotation is a must.

With regards costa, I think remy is a more than able deputy, but the key thing is Mourinho having faith to use him.

[Bobbywoodhogan]

I think this squad would have really struggled to cope if we had gotten further in the champs league and f.a. cup.

I think Mourinho needs to put more faith in the squad players if we are to challenge on all fronts next season.

I heard we only have 13 players that have started more than 5 leagues games this season, which one of the lowest in the prem. Bearing in mind we are a club that can play 60 games a season, I more rotation is a must.

With regards costa, I think remy is a more than able deputy, but the key thing is Mourinho having faith to use him.

I agree there but it seems the reasons he hasn't is he doesn't think he can take the risk, he knows he has to win the title this season. I honestly believe he'll rotate more next season.

[dR3]

 

Not looking good for Diego, I wish him a speedy recovery!

[Zeta]

He looks about 65 in that picture.

[CFCholland]

I think he's out for the season.

Remy gets his chance and he deserves it.

Remy is a goalscorer but there is nothing else to his game.

Costa is superior in every way so it's a loss but we'll just have to make do.

Luckily there are no international tournaments this summer other than the Copa America.

Costa gets a rest and hopefully puts his hamstring problem to bed.

It's been a niggle all season and I still don't think we're seeing him at full throttle.

What exactly does Costa have besides scoring goals? I agree that Costa is probably the better striker but it's not like his hold op game or passing are good. His first touch has been awful as well.

I actually think Remy could be better in all of those attributes.

[Chelsbear]

What exactly does Costa have besides scoring goals? I agree that Costa is probably the better striker but it's not like his hold op game or passing are good. His first touch has been awful as well.

I actually think Remy could be better in all of those attributes.

He has fantastic technique as many of his goals have proved.

I think we have to remember he's been dealing with a hamstring problem since he joined us, it's very probably that we've not even seen a fully fit Diego since he joined.

He's still by far our best striker.

[Davey Baby]

What exactly does Costa have besides scoring goals? I agree that Costa is probably the better striker but it's not like his hold op game or passing are good. His first touch has been awful as well.

I actually think Remy could be better in all of those attributes.

 

Costa is a far superior footballer to Remy, it's not even comparable. He's more skilful, his link-up play is far superior, he just has a far superior football brain, knowing how to create space for his teammates with his movement, he's also stronger. Remy can get in behind, playing off the shoulder, as Costa can, and he's a good poacher, as Costa is, so I'm not knocking him, he's a goalscorer, but Costa's game can't purely be judged on goals even though he provides loads.

[icecoolguy22]

Really think Jose messed up by risking Costa there, he will be fighting time to fit for Arsenal. However, starting a rusty Costa in such a big game may come back to haunt us again. He's the best striker in the team no argument, but his niggling hamstring really worries me.

[AsianBoy]

Really think Jose messed up by risking Costa there, he will be fighting time to fit for Arsenal. However, starting a rusty Costa in such a big game may come back to haunt us again. He's the best striker in the team no argument, but his niggling hamstring really worries me.

Dont worry Remy will be a nightmare for Mertesacker if Arsenal choose to play a high line which they usually do at home.

[Crem]

Really think Jose messed up by risking Costa there, he will be fighting time to fit for Arsenal. However, starting a rusty Costa in such a big game may come back to haunt us again. He's the best striker in the team no argument, but his niggling hamstring really worries me.

 

Costa didn't do anything more strenuous than he would have done in training, especially considering the time he lasted. Just unlucky it happened when it did I think.

[stevo]

We still have Arsenals worst nightmare. The Drog.

[CFCholland]

Costa is a far superior footballer to Remy, it's not even comparable. He's more skilful, his link-up play is far superior, he just has a far superior football brain, knowing how to create space for his teammates with his movement, he's also stronger. Remy can get in behind, playing off the shoulder, as Costa can, and he's a good poacher, as Costa is, so I'm not knocking him, he's a goalscorer, but Costa's game can't purely be judged on goals even though he provides loads.

 

I agree that Costa is the better striker, and he definitely has the right football brain, but I don't think he is more skillful or has better link-up play.

At times he has been shocking on the ball, trying to take defenders on and failing miserably or luckily bulldozing through, his ballcontrol lets him down quite often as well. I think Remy with some more game time and confidence could would be better at this. Doesn't make Remy the better striker though.

[Chelsbear]

I agree that Costa is the better striker, and he definitely has the right football brain, but I don't think he is more skillful or has better link-up play.

At times he has been shocking on the ball, trying to take defenders on and failing miserably or luckily bulldozing through, his ballcontrol lets him down quite often as well. I think Remy with some more game time and confidence could would be better at this. Doesn't make Remy the better striker though.

Again I think this is because he's not 100%.

Watching him for Atletico and at times with us his touch looks fantastic and he has a high skill set too when getting past players.

I honestly believe given a summer off and maybe surgery to fix this problem then we will see a far better Costa next term.

[CFCBlue12]

Drogba the name should be enough for Arsenal.

[CFCholland]

Again I think this is because he's not 100%.

Watching him for Atletico and at times with us his touch looks fantastic and he has a high skill set too when getting past players.

I honestly believe given a summer off and maybe surgery to fix this problem then we will see a far better Costa next term.

 

You may very well be right, I can't say I consistantly watched him at Atletico.

My comments are based on his time with Chelsea.

[Chelsbear]

You may very well be right, I can't say I consistantly watched him at Atletico.

My comments are based on his time with Chelsea.

I think he must be suffering mentally from it too, you can see he is reluctant to go full pelt in fear of the hamstring going. Suffering with it for a year will clearly have some effect on him.

I'm not sure what the problem is or if surgery is the answer given I'm not a physio/doctor but I do hope there is a long term solution to this for the guy and us.

[Frantic]

Wouldn't some of you say his a "tap in" master. Right place at the right time type of striker.

[Chelsbear]

Wouldn't some of you say his a "tap in" master. Right place at the right time type of striker.

Much more than that as his goal against Hull shows.

[jezza]

Drogba the name should be enough for Arsenal.

I know what you're saying, but sadly I don't think that is the case anymore.

[HazardsLeftPeg]

I'm not sure where the DM gets this information from but:

Diego Costa has identified Chelsea's crunch clash against Arsenal for his latest hamstring injury comeback.

The Spain international limped off just 11 minutes after coming on as a substitute in Chelsea's 2-1 win over Stoke on Saturday.

Costa has been told he will miss just over two weeks following his latest hamstring setback, a problem that has dogged him all season.

 

The striker will not do any ball work at the club's Cobham HQ this week, instead focusing on strength sessions and intensive massages on the injured muscle.

Costa is also expected to see a specialist before he is given the green light to step up his rehabilitation regime.

The striker will definitely miss the games against Queens Park Rangers and Manchester United.

But the league leaders face second placed Arsenal, in a clash that could prove pivotal in the title race on April 26 and Costa is said to be determined to play.

 

But Jose Mourinho will not take any unnecessary risks with his star striker and could decide against fielding Costa against the Gunners if the title is virtually sewn up by then.

Depending on how the title race develops, the the club are considering giving Costa an extended break between now and the end of the season to help him overcome his hamstring problems.

Mourinho is determined to avoid the need for surgery and may decide to use the striker sparingly for the run-in depending on how close the title race pans out.

 

[Blue Exile]

Wouldn't some of you say his a "tap in" master. Right place at the right time type of striker.

I'd say that's the one thing he isn't.

Yes he scores goals like that but dont all strikers.

He is the master of the composed 'take a touch then finish' goals imo

[icecoolguy22]

Tap in is a form of art, for good strikers only. You have the likes of RVN or Costa do the easy tap ins, then you have the downgraded Torres, who usually end up near the corner flag when there's a tap in opportunity at the far post.

[HazardsLeftPeg]

He's Ruud Van Nistelrooy with a better team ethic.

[HazardsLeftPeg]

Tap in is a form of art, for good strikers only. You have the likes of RVN or Costa do the easy tap ins, then you have the downgraded Torres, who usually end up near the corner flag when there's a tap in opportunity at the far post.

 

Weird reading this right after posting that. 

[Blue Daze]

Out for about a month according to Jose.