Mikel Arteta Praises Diego Simeone Ahead Of Arsenal’s Champions League Clash With Atletico Madrid

20 Oct 2025, 19:08 by Ernest Victor · Naija News

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has paid glowing tribute to Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone ahead of their Champions League showdown, describing the Argentine coach as someone he “looks up to” and admires for his passion and longevity in football.

Simeone, who took charge of Atletico in December 2011, is closing in on 14 years at the helm, the longest of any manager in Europe’s top leagues. His staying power and consistent success, Arteta believes, make him a rare example of sustained excellence.

“Obviously, there is someone that I look up to and learn from in many situations,” Arteta said before the match. “What is outstanding for me is his passion. For how long he’s been in the game and in the same club, with the same players, and still has that capacity to transmit such energy and willingness to win, that’s extraordinary.”

Since becoming Arsenal’s manager in December 2019, Arteta has quietly built a reputation for discipline and tactical innovation, making him the second-longest-serving manager in the Premier League, behind only Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Yet even he admits that maintaining belief and intensity within the same squad over many seasons is a unique challenge, one Simeone has mastered.

“It’s a very tough environment that we live in, and to keep convincing players, you have to be extraordinary,” Arteta continued. “I don’t know him personally, but everything I’ve heard about him is that he’s so good at doing that. That’s one of the reasons why you’re able to sustain success at that level.”

Arteta also said he believes Simeone’s approach and mentality would make him a success in English football if he ever chose to test himself in the Premier League.

“If he works in the Champions League, which is the highest competition in Europe, he can do it anywhere,” he said. “You have to come here and try it and feel it, but I’m very sure that his know-how is unbelievable, and his character and willingness will take him anywhere.”

During his time at Atletico, Simeone has won two La Liga titles, two Europa Leagues, one Copa del Rey and two UEFA Super Cups, while also leading the club to two Champions League finals. His teams are known for their structure, spirit and relentless competitiveness, traits Arteta has openly admired.

“First of all, the willingness to win, you can sense that in every single ball, in every single yard, the way they play,” Arteta said. “The level of organisation is really high, the level of discipline is really high, and they’ve acquired a lot of talent throughout the years that fits the way they want to play. They’re very good at exploiting those opportunities.”

Arsenal approach Tuesday night’s clash brimming with confidence after winning both of their opening Champions League games without conceding a goal. Atletico, meanwhile, are looking to build on their 5-1 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt following a narrow 3-2 loss to Liverpool.