Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone spoke highly of Mikel Arteta and Arsenal before dropping in a dig about the Gunners
Diego Simeone aimed a thinly-veiled dig at Arsenal’s financial might following Atletico Madrid’s Champions League exit.
Bukayo Saka netted the crucial goal just before half-time to seal the Gunners’ 2-1 aggregate semi-final victory. They will now meet either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on May 30.
Tensions flared in the closing stages of the match, with the Atleti manager pushing Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta on the touchline. Simeone offered no grievances after the final whistle, commending Mikel Arteta.
Nevertheless, he couldn’t help but allude to the Gunners’ financial muscle. Arsenal invested approximately £250 million last summer on players including Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi.
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Simeone said: “I think Mikel Arteta has done an incredible job at Arsenal. He’s been trying to get to this point for a long time, to reach the Champions League (final) and to win the league.
“They have incredible financial power, and that’s linked to what they’re doing. I’m really pleased for them. They deserve it. They’ve been working very hard for many years.”
Regarding the fraught moments approaching full-time, Simeone raised no objections, adding: “Controversies? Nothing to say, we’re out. Congratulations to Arsenal because they compete very well.
“They have a team and a coach that I like. They follow a coherent project with strong financial backing. Congratulations to them, and we focus on our work.”
After Manchester City’s 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday, which handed Arsenal control of the Premier League title race, Arteta’s team are now just four games away from achieving a monumental double and delivering the finest season in the club’s 140-year existence.
Arteta said: “It was an incredible night. We made history again together and I cannot be happier and prouder for everybody that’s involved in this football club.
“The supporters were with us for every ball. They made it special and unique, and I have never felt it like that in this stadium.
“We knew how much it meant to everybody, we put everything on the line, the boys did an incredible job and after 20 years, and the second time in our history, we are back in the Champions League final.”
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