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mikel arteta might be talking about that armory Team. “The level of organization is really high,” he said. “It’s about how they compete and then how they play.”
it was really an ode Atletico Madridthere will be a 90 minute opportunity to compare them tonight. There is a broad similarity. There are managers who have brought longevity and stability, returning to their old clubs when they were in recession and bringing about change. Diego Simeone Arteta is a former Atletico player, Arteta is a former Arsenal captain and each, arguably, owes his appointment to some extent because of that situation.
The critical interpretation is that both almost became men. arteta has Runner up three times in a row In the Premier League, however, the Gunners are now league leaders and, in the eyes of increasing numbers, favorites for the title.
Simeon reached two Champions League In the finals, neither of them won, although they reached the finals twice. won the LaLiga titleThere is even an argument that he is Argentina’s Arsene Wenger: not in terms of playing style, but with a never-ending reign based on annual Champions League qualification, as if third or fourth place represents a title in itself, but with the best years among the first.
Arteta is still a fan. How does he rate his Atleti counterpart? “At the highest level,” he replied. “What he has done since coming to Atlético is outstanding. Not only what he has done but the way he has achieved it. I think the identity he has created in the club, in the team, in the team, it is simple and clear to recognize him. It is extremely difficult to achieve this in a short period of time and to do it for 14 years is incredible.”
Yet Atleti are changing a bit. “They have evolved from the team they had a year ago,” Arteta said.
And Arsenal’s own development could make them like Atleti… but not in the 2025 class. Arsenal have conceded three goals in 11 games this season, none in two in the Champions League. Last year, he was fouled only three times in eight group games.
Back to Simeone’s heyday, and some other numbers speak to consistent frugality: 26, 29, 18, 27, 22, 29, 27, 25, the number of goals conceded by Atleti in eight consecutive (38-match) LaLiga seasons. If there were an award for defense in the 2010s, it should probably go to Madrid, not Real.
Arteta was pleased that, without his asking, William Saliba watched Atlético’s game against Osasuna on Arsenal’s team coach after their win against Fulham. Maybe, though, Saliba is studying old videos of Diego Godin, Jose Maria Jimenez, Stefan Savic and Miranda, who have been at the heart of the impenetrable Atletico defence. Maybe, Jurien Timbers and Riccardo Calafiori are secret admirers of Juanfran and Philippe Luis. Possibly, David Raya can compare the clean sheet record at the Emirates Stadium with Jan Oblak.
But – Oblak and Jimenez aside – they build on the past. Atlético have been less stingy in the 2020s. In two of the last four seasons, he has conceded 43 goals in LaLiga. While Arsenal scored three goals in the opening round of the Champions League last season, Atletico scored 12, created 20 and finished fifth. Did Simeon reinvent them as entertainers?
This season might suggest so. They began their campaign with a 3–2 defeat at Anfield. They beat Eintracht Frankfurt 5–1 three days after beating Real 5–2. Simeone has spent heavily over the past two summers, but much of it has been on forwards – notably the prolific Julian Alvarez plus Alexander Sorloth and Giacomo Raspadori – and on a number of midfielders including Connor Gallagher, Alex Baena, Jonny Cardoso and Thiago Almada. By this summer, when Victor Gyokerès, Eberechi Eze and Nonny Madueke arrived, Arteta was accused of focusing too much of his resources on buying defenders.
But the Atleti identity he admires is evident in his sentiment. He remains a staunch opponent. “First of all, the desire to win,” said the Arsenal manager. “You can feel it in every ball and every single yard.” He thinks it stems from Simeon. “He’s someone I look up to and learn from,” he said. “What stands out to me is his passion.”
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The red card came on Atletico’s last trip to England following an injury-time altercation with a Liverpool supporter, who Simeone said was abusing him. Arteta perhaps read more into Virgil van Dijk’s comeback than his injury-time winner before Simeone’s side came from 2-0 down and then equalised. This was a different form of disobedience.
The next sequence will be remarkable as Arsenal have not conceded twice in a game since May. Only Dominik Szoboszlai, Erling Haaland and Nick Voltemed have scored against them so far this season.
Arsenal have not conceded a single shot on target in their last two league matches. If anyone is ready to drool over such a feat, it might be Simeone. Because it’s Simeon-esque.