Mikel Arteta has admitted that he ‘looks up to’ Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone on the eve of going toe-to-toe with the Argentine in Arsenal’s Champions League encounter on Tuesday night.
Simeone is one of the longest-serving managers in Europe’s top tiers, having overseen a nearly 14-year tenure with LaLiga giants – eight years longer than Arteta’s time at the Emirates.
Amid the Premier League turbulent chop-and-change managerial culture, Arteta is the second-longest serving manager in the English top flight, and the Spaniard admitted that Simeone’s continued motivation in the dugout was an inspiration to him.
‘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.
‘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 and to keep convincing players you have to be extraordinary as well.
Mikel Arteta admitted that he looks up to Diego Simeone’s long tenure at Atletico Madrid
The long-serving Argentine manager joined the LaLiga giants in December 2011 – 14 years ago
‘I don’t know (Simeone) 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.’
Arteta also suggested that were he to ever move on, Simeone, who has won both the Spanish league and the Europe League twice. would do well on English soil.
‘If he works in the Champions League, which is the highest competition in Europe, he can do it anywhere,’ the Gunners boss added.
‘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.’
Arsenal have an unbeaten record in the early stages of this season’s Champions League, but will face a tough test against Simeone’s dogged Atletico.
‘The level of organisation is really high, the level of discipline is really high,’ Arteta stressed. ‘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 good at exploiting those opportunities.’
