Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid agree on Arsenal ranking after heavy Champions League defeat | OneFootball

Manager and defender have been complimentary of the Gunners

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

David Hancko has branded Arsenal as one of the best teams in the world following Atletico Madrid’s 4-0 Champions League loss on Tuesday night.

"Personally I was up against Bukayo [Saka], which is always a big challenge. We were close, it was 0-0 at half-time. We were able to defend their set pieces and they're the best in the world at them right now.

“In the second half, suddenly they went 1-0 up, from a set piece. Then I had a great cross from Marcos [Llorente] and a really good header. If I hit it a little bit better, it could have been 1-1 but suddenly in five minutes it was 3-0.

“It just shows you how good they are, you cannot stop even for one second. We are really disappointed that we were not able to get a better result and now the 4-0 looks really bad.

"It was not easy. We were just looking around and you feel like you're in the game, you're going for the points and it's coming to the last part of the game, but then it's bam, bam, bam, bam. Suddenly the game is over. You just need to collect yourself and try to play more simply."

David Hancko endured a tough night up against Bukayo Saka

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Hancko’s comments echo that of Atleti manager Diego Simeone who said Arsenal are the best team his side have faced all season, having played Real Madrid and Liverpool already.

“I would say they are the best team we have faced this season,” Simeone told Amazon Prime. “They compete so well, they run and they run, and they have quality all over the pitch.

“We have to put this behind us now and we need to focus in training on the things that went right and we need to make improvements as well.”