may need been talking about his workforce. “The extent of organisation is basically excessive,” he stated. “It’s about how they compete and after how they play.”
It was really an ode to . There might be a tonight. There’s a broader similarity. There are managers who’ve introduced longevity and stability, returning to their former golf equipment after they have been at a low ebb and effecting a metamorphosis. is a former Atletico participant, Arteta an ex-Arsenal captain and every, arguably, owed his appointment partially to that standing.
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The important interpretation is that each grew to become almost males. Arteta has within the Premier League, although the Gunners are league leaders now and, within the eyes of an growing quantity, title favourites.
Simeone reached two finals, profitable neither, although he twice . There’s an argument, too, that he’s the Argentine Arsene Wenger: not by way of type of play, however with a seemingly unending reign, constructed on annual Champions League qualification, as if third or fourth place represents a title in itself, however with the perfect years among the many first.
Arteta is nonetheless an admirer. How does he fee his Atleti counterpart? “On the highest stage,” he replied. “What he has achieved since he has acquired to Atletico has been excellent. Not solely what he has achieved however the best way he has achieved it. I believe the id that he has created on the membership, to the workforce, the spirit, they’re easy and clear to determine. That’s extraordinarily troublesome to attain for a brief time period and to do it for 14 years is unimaginable.”
Atleti are nonetheless altering a bit. “They’ve developed from the workforce they’re a 12 months in the past till now,” famous Arteta.
Mikel Arteta known as rival boss Diego Simeone ‘excellent’ as the 2 put together to fulfill (PA)
And Arsenal’s personal evolution might make them resemble Atleti… however not a lot the category of 2025. Arsenal have conceded three targets in 11 video games this season, none in two within the Champions League. Final 12 months, they have been breached solely 3 times in eight group video games.
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Return to Simeone’s heyday, and another numbers spoke to constant frugality: 26, 29, 18, 27, 22, 29, 27, 25, the variety of targets Atleti conceded in eight consecutive (38-match) LaLiga seasons. Had been there an award for the defence of the 2010s, it most likely ought to go to Madrid, and to not Actual.
Arteta was delighted that, unprompted by him, William Saliba watched Atletico’s sport in opposition to Osasuna on Arsenal’s workforce coach after their very own win in opposition to Fulham. Perhaps, although, Saliba has been finding out outdated movies of Diego Godin, Jose Maria Gimenez, Stefan Savic and Miranda, the lads on the coronary heart of impenetrable Atletico defences. Perhaps, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are secret admirers of Juanfran and Filipe Luis. Probably, David Raya can examine clear sheet data with Jan Oblak on the Emirates Stadium.
David Raya has marshalled an nearly impenetrable Arsenal defence this season (Getty)
However – Oblak and Gimenez aside – they type the previous. Within the 2020s, Atletico have been much less stingy. In two of the final 4 seasons, they’ve conceded 43 occasions in LaLiga. The place Arsenal let in three targets within the Champions League’s preliminary part final season, Atletico conceded 12, scored 20 and got here fifth. Had Simeone reinvented them as entertainers?
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This season may counsel so. They started their marketing campaign with a 3-2 defeat at Anfield. They thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1, three days after beating Actual 5-2. Simeone has spent closely within the final two summers, however a lot of it has been on forwards – significantly the prolific Julian Alvarez plus Alexander Sorloth and Giacomo Raspadori – and a number of midfielders, together with Conor Gallagher, Alex Baena, Johnny Cardoso and Thiago Almada. Till this summer season, when Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke arrived, Arteta was accused of concentrating an excessive amount of of his assets on shopping for defenders.
However the Atleti id he admires is clear of their spirit. They continue to be stubborn opponents. “Initially, the willingness to win,” the Arsenal supervisor stated. “You possibly can sense that in each ball and each single yard.” It stems, he thinks, from Simeone. “Somebody I look as much as and study from,” he stated. “What for me is excellent is his ardour.”
Simeone was despatched off following an injury-time altercation with a Liverpool supporter on his final journey to England (AFP/Getty)
That introduced a purple card on Atletico’s final journey to England, following an injury-time altercation with a Liverpool supporter who Simeone stated was abusing him. Arteta most likely learn extra into the comeback that preceded Virgil van Dijk’s injury-time winner, when Simeone’s aspect went 2-0 down after which drew stage. It was a distinct type of defiance.
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A sequel could be notable as a result of Arsenal haven’t conceded twice in a sport since Might. Up to now this season, solely Dominik Szoboszlai, Erling Haaland and Nick Woltemade have scored in opposition to them.
Arsenal haven’t even conceded a shot on course of their final two league matches. If anybody is configured to salivate over such an achievement, it could be Simeone. As a result of it’s Simeone-esque.
