Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid: Mikel Arteta says he looks up to Diego Simeone

Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta, said that he looks up to Atletico Madrid coach, Diego Simeone, before facing their two teams in the Champions League, and believes that the Argentine will be successful if he wants to work in England.

Simeone has been coaching the Spanish team since December 2011, which means he is approaching 14 years at the helm of the Spanish club.

This is a longer reign than any current Premier League manager.

Arteta is the second longest serving manager in the Premier League, having joined Arsenal in December 2019.

This puts him behind Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City player, who moved to the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2016.

The Gunners boss was asked if Simeone’s time in charge inspired him.

“Well, obviously there is someone I look up to and learn from in many situations, and what distinguishes me is his passion,” Arteta said before Tuesday’s match.

“I think how long he’s been in the game and at the same club with the same players, and how you still have that hand and that ability to transmit such energy and desire to win…

“It’s a very difficult environment we live in, and to keep impressing the players you have to be exceptional as well.

“I don’t know [him] Personally but all I’ve heard about him is that he’s very good at doing it. That’s one of the reasons you’re able to continue at this level.”

Arteta rated Simeone’s work as “fantastic” and said that he would have the qualities required to achieve success in the English Premier League.

“If he works in the Champions League, which is the highest competition in Europe, he can do it anywhere,” the Arsenal coach said.

“You have to come here and try it and feel it, but I’m very sure that his experience is unbelievable, and his character and preparation will take him anywhere.”

The Atletico Madrid coach has won two La Liga titles, two Europa League titles, one Copa del Rey and two European Super Cups, while also reaching the Champions League final twice.

Atletico are known to be tough opponents, and Arteta has highlighted the Spanish side’s defensive strength.

“First and foremost, the desire to win, you can feel it on every ball, in every yard, in the way they play.” Arteta said.

“So it’s about how they compete and then how they play.

“The level of organization is really high, the level of discipline is really high, and then they’ve acquired a lot of talent over the years that has been very specific to the needs and the way they want to play, and they’re very good at taking advantage of those opportunities.”

Arsenal won their first two Champions League matches without conceding a single goal.

Atletico lost to Liverpool 3-2, but responded with a 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.