Diego Costa: Chelsea striker charged with 'violent conduct'

(CNN)Diego Costa -- a player that divides opinion on just how far you can go to win a football match -- is back in trouble after being charged with an "alleged act of violent conduct."

The announcement was made Monday by the English Football Association after it reviewed footage of Chelsea's 2-0 win over Arsenal on Saturday.

Chelsea star Costa, who was involved in a number of altercations with Arsenal players during the game, served a three-match ban for violent conduct last season and the Brazilian-born Spain international could now face another lengthy punishment if found guilty.

In a statement issued by the FA, Costa was charged for "an alleged act of violent conduct which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video."

Costa has until 6pm local time Tuesday to reply to the charges.

The FA has also charged Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista with improper conduct for his behavior after his sending off at Stamford Bridge, while teammate Santi Cazorla, who was also red carded, has been warned about his behavior.

Both clubs have been charged for failing to control their players and are expected to reply to the charge by Thursday.

In a statement on its website, Arsenal confirmed it is appealing the dismissal of Gabriel and the subsequent three-match ban.

'Every player wants to conquer': Diego Costa's ambitions 

In the first-half, Costa appeared to hit out at Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny, while the 26-year-old Chelsea forward was also involved in a coming together with Paulista, who was sent off by referee Mike Dean.

Arsene Wenger had called it "unacceptable behavior" -- but Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho made a novel defense for his agent provocateur Costa, likening the soccer star to a rugby player after yet another victory over Arsenal.

"He can do what he wants, he stays on and everybody else who responds to him has to be sent off. I think it is unacceptable his behavior," Wenger said of Costa, who was booked for his initial tussle with Paulista.

"If you look well at the pictures what he does to Koscielny before he pushes him down, he hits him in the face and the throat, he always gets away with it.

"It is surprising and I don't understand (referee) Mike Dean's decision at all, not on the sending-off -- why does Diego Costa stay on the pitch and Gabriel sent off?

"Okay I accept he has not to react at all. Gabriel is guilty for getting involved, of course he should not have responded at all, but Koscielny had no choice."