Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been full of praise for Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone ahead of the Gunners' meeting with the Spanish side in the Champions League on Tuesday. Arteta, whose team have been accused of winning ugly this season, says that Simeone is a coach he looks up to and tries to learn from and reserved special praise for the Atletico manager's "passion."
Arteta inspired by Atletico boss Simeone
Arteta has revealed that he has been inspired by Simeone as he prepares to take on Atletico in the Champions League. Simeone has been in charge of Los Colchoneros since December 2011, and his team have become well-known for being difficult opponents who are tough to beat.
Arteta told a press conference ahead of the game that he's learned a lot from studying the Argentine: "There is someone that I look up to and learn from in many situations. What is for me outstanding is his passion, I think for how long he's been in the game and in the same club, with the same players, and how you still have that handle and that capacity to transmit such an energy and willingness to win. It's a very tough environment that we live in, and to keep convincing players, you have to be extraordinary as well. I don't know him personally but everything that I have 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.
"At the highest level, I think what he's done since he got to Atletico has been outstanding, not only what he has achieved but the way he's done it. I think the identity that he has created for the club, for the team, the spirit, I think they are very simple and clear to identify, and that's because the manager is very much them. That's extremely difficult to achieve for a short period of time and to do it for 14 years, I think he's been there now, he's done something incredible so it'll be a pleasure to meet him."
AdvertisementGetty Images SportSaliba does his Atletico homework
Arteta was also quizzed on defender William Saliba after he was spotted watching Atletico in action after Arsenal's win over Fulham. The Gunners boss admitted he was thrilled to see Saliba doing his homework on his next opponents without being asked.
"I'm very pleased because I didn't encourage it, so it came from them," Arteta explained. "That's the most powerful thing – a game finishes, the job is done but now what's next, what's the next challenge, what's the next opportunity? We know that it's going to be a really tough one, so the earlier we start to think about it and prepare, the better. I love that initiative from the players and it tells you how much they want it and how focused they are on what is next."
Atletico head to London on the back of some impressive results in big fixtures this season. They battered Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 last time out in the Champions League and also crushed bitter rivals Real Madrid 5-2 in La Liga in September.
Arteta backs Simeone to shine in the Premier League
Arteta has also backed Simeone to thrive in England if he were to try a new challenge in the Premier League. Simeone has recently been touted by Roy Keane as a good choice for Manchester United if Ruben Amorim were to be sacked, and Arteta thinks he would be a success.
He explained: "If he works in the Champions League, which is the highest competition in Europe, he can do it anywhere. I don't know, 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."
Arteta also spoke about why Simeone's team is so difficult to play against: "First of all, the willingness to win. You can sense that in every single ball, in every single yard, the way they play, so it's about how they compete and then after how they play. I think there are two very different things, and in order to have to analyse what they are, the level of organisation is really high, the level of discipline is really high and then they have acquired a lot of talent throughout the years that are very specific for the needs and the way they want to play and they are very, very good at exploiting those opportunities."
Getty Images SportArsenal aiming to stay perfect in Champions League
Arsenal will be hoping they can maintain their 100% record in the Champions League with another win over Atletico. The Gunners have opened up their campaign with wins over Olympiacos and Athletic Club so far, and are also yet to concede a goal in the competition.
