Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed high praise for Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone ahead of their Champions League encounter, describing the Argentine as someone he deeply admires for his passion and enduring presence in football.

Simeone, who took charge of Atletico in December 2011, is approaching 14 years at the helm, making him the longest-serving manager among Europe’s top leagues. Arteta highlighted that this longevity and consistent success make Simeone a rare figure in modern football.

“Obviously, there is someone that I look up to and learn from in many situations,” Arteta stated before the match. “What is outstanding for me is his passion. For how long he’s been in the game and in the same club, with the same players, and still has that capacity to transmit such energy and willingness to win, that’s extraordinary.”

Since becoming Arsenal’s manager in December 2019, Arteta has built a reputation for discipline and tactical innovation, making him the second-longest-serving manager in the Premier League, behind only Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Yet Arteta admitted that maintaining belief and intensity within the same squad over many seasons is a unique challenge, one Simeone has mastered.

“It’s a very tough environment that we live in, and to keep convincing players, you have to be extraordinary,” Arteta continued. “I don’t know him personally, but everything I’ve heard about him is that he’s so good at doing that. That’s one of the reasons why you’re able to sustain success at that level.”

Arteta also expressed confidence that Simeone’s approach and mentality would lead to success in English football if he ever chose to test himself in the Premier League.

“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.”

During his time at Atletico, Simeone has won two La Liga titles, two Europa Leagues, one Copa del Rey and two UEFA Super Cups, while also leading the club to two Champions League finals. His teams are known for their structure, spirit and relentless competitiveness, traits Arteta has openly admired.

“First of all, the willingness to win, you can sense that in every single ball, in every single yard, the way they play,” Arteta said. “The level of organisation is really high, the level of discipline is really high, and they’ve acquired a lot of talent throughout the years that fits the way they want to play. They’re very good at exploiting those opportunities.”

Arsenal approach Tuesday night’s clash brimming with confidence after winning both of their opening Champions League games without conceding a goal. Atletico, meanwhile, are looking to build on their 5-1 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt following a narrow 3-2 loss to Liverpool.