Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has talked up the qualities of Chelsea striker Diego Costa ahead of Saturday's Premier League meeting between the two sides.

The 27-year-old has a chequered past against the Gunners having played a part in red cards for both Gabriel Paulista and Per Mertesacker last season, while also scoring the winning goal at the Emirates.

Costa has been criticised for his off-the-ball behaviour, but Wenger warned that he can still be a massive threat to his side and called on his players to be "cold-blooded" in dealing with the striker.

"I like him as a player. I like the qualities of the player but all the rest around is not needed. He is a fighter and you respect that. The rest is down to the referees to get the game and the rules respected. 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," he told reporters.

"[We deal with him] by being completely cold-blooded and just focus on the game and not respond. Just try to negate his qualities and his game. You need to be committed but by respecting the rules of the game and responding.

"Last year we were a bit unlucky at Chelsea to be down to 10 men because we got a red card and it was rescinded after. In the other game, we deserved the red card because we were caught on a quality run by him."

Arsenal will be looking for their first Premier League victory over Chelsea since October 2011 at the Emirates on Saturday.