Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has lavished praise on Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone, describing his 14-year reign at the Spanish club as “outstanding” ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash on Tuesday night at the Emirates Stadium.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Arteta commended Simeone for shaping Atletico into one of Europe’s most resilient and disciplined teams, saying his leadership has defined the club’s modern identity.
“What he has done since arriving at Atletico has been outstanding — not just the achievements, but the way he has done it,” Arteta told reporters.
“The identity he has created for the club and the team — the spirit — it’s so clear to see. That’s because the manager embodies those values. To maintain that for 14 years is incredible.”
Arteta, whose Arsenal side edged Fulham 1–0 in the Premier League over the weekend, expressed admiration for Simeone’s longevity in a football era where managerial tenures are often short-lived.
He added that meeting the Argentine tactician on such a stage was “a pleasure,” describing the upcoming Champions League tie as a meeting of two distinct football philosophies — Arsenal’s possession-driven flair versus Atletico’s structured intensity.
The two clubs last met competitively in the 2018 Europa League semi-final, where Simeone’s Atletico eliminated Arsenal 2–1 on aggregate.
