Arsenal boss Arteta cites Diego Simeone as a role model | OneFootball

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has called Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone a role model ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash between the teams.

Arsenal host Atletico Madrid at the Emirates on Tuesday night aiming to maintain their perfect record in this season’s competition.

Atletico arrive in North London having thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt in their last European fixture. The Spanish side will be led by Simeone, who has overseen huge success with the club.

Simeone has led Atletico to two La Liga titles. His team are the only side to break up Real Madrid and Barcelona’s dominance of Spanish football since 2004. He’s also won two Europa League crowns and reached two Champions League finals, in a tenure approaching 14 years.

Arteta admitted Simeone is someone he has looked to ‘learn from’ given his longevity and sustained success.

“Well, obviously there is someone that I look up to and learn from him in many situations and what is for me outstanding is his passion,” Arteta said before Tuesday’s game.

“I think for how long he’s been in the game and in the same club with the same players, how you still have that hand and that capacity to transmit such an energy and willingness to win.

“It’s a very tough environment that we live in. To keep convincing players you have to be extraordinary as well.

“I don’t know [him] personally but everything I heard about him is that he’s so good at doing that. That’s one of the reasons why you are able to sustain at that level.”

Simeone has been regularly linked with a Premier League role in recent seasons. Roy Keane recently named the Atleti boss as an option for former club Manchester United, if Ruben Amorim does not improve results.

Discussing Simeone, Arteta said he was in no doubt the Argentina could thrive in England.

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

“You have to come here and try it and feel it, but I’m very sure that his know-how is unbelievable, and his character and willingness will take him anywhere.”

Read – Five talking points ahead of the Champions League action

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