Arsenal: Mikel Arteta makes Diego Simeone prediction ahead of Champions League clash | OneFootball

Arsenal boss has never faced Uruguayan in the dugout

Tricky customer: Diego Simeone

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Mikel Arteta has hailed Diego Simone as someone he looks up to and believes the Atletico Madrid boss would be a success in the Premier League.

Simeone is an inspiration for Arteta due to his remarkable stint at Atletico, which stretches back 14 years.

“I think for how long he has been in the game and [at] the same club, with the same players, how you still have that handle and that capacity to transmit such an energy and willingness to win.

"It is a very tough environment that we live in, and to keep convincing players you have to be extraordinarily well.

“I do not know him personally but everything that I heard about him is that he is so good at doing that, that is one of the reasons why you are able to sustain at that level.

“I think what he has done since he got to Atletico has been outstanding, not only what he has achieved but the way he has done it.

“I think the identity that he has created to the club, to the team, the spirit, I think they are very simple and clear to identify and that is because the manager is very much them.

“That is extremely difficult to achieve for a short period of time and to do it for 14 years, I think he has been there now, he has done something incredible; a pleasure to meet him.”

Simeone has been linked with a move to the Premier League over the years, specifically to Chelsea and Manchester United.

The Argentine has stayed loyal to Atletico, but Arteta believes he would be a hit in England if Simeone wanted to make the move.

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

“I do not know, you have to come here and try it and feel it, but I am very sure that his know-how is unbelievable and his character and willingness will take him anywhere.

“It is going to get tougher, we have enough super good managers here so I do not know, that will be completely up to him, if one day he wants to experience that.”