Wednesday, 6th November, 2013
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that he is a firm admirer of Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa, a player who first popped onto his radar last year.
Costa has drawn headlines in recent months due not only to his performances on the pitch for Atletico Madrid, but also his international future, which has seen a tug-of-war between his native Brazil and adoptive Spain for his services, a battle won by the latter.
The hitman is being watched carefully by Wenger, who has dubbed him an "animal" due to his hunger to succeed.
Wenger said via Eurosport: "Diego Costa is beginning to make news.
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"He had already grabbed my attention last year through his determination, his strength to move forward.
"He also possesses technical quality and a cool head when carrying out his finishing touches.
"For a long time, he was loaned out because he couldn't find his place. But over the last two seasons he has really moved up a notch.
"The departure of [Radamel] Falcao has given him space. The team plays for him and we can see all the talent he possesses.
"There is something animal in his determination, in his hunger. You can feel that he is a player who, before arriving at a very high level, has fed his thirst and his hunger."
And so highly does Wenger rate Costa that he believes the striker will be a genuine challenger to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the Ballon d'Or as he moves forward.
"The other two [Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic] will have to get a move on if they want to grab the Ballon d'Or because he seems to be one of the future candidates.
"In any case, he is a player who is developing at exceptional speed."
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