{"id":940475,"date":"2026-05-06T01:14:17","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T01:14:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/940475\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T01:14:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T01:14:17","slug":"diego-simeone-makes-arsenal-and-barcelona-claim-after-atletico-madrid-defeat-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/940475\/","title":{"rendered":"Diego Simeone makes Arsenal and Barcelona claim after Atletico Madrid defeat | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Arsenal
\n\t\tDiego Simeone during Atletico Madrid\u2019s defeat to Arsenal (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

Diego Simeone hailed Arsenal<\/a> as the \u2018best team\u2019 Atletico Madrid<\/a> have faced this season after his side\u2019s deflating Champions League<\/a> semi-final defeat.<\/p>\n

Simeone took his Atletico side to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night hoping to reach the club\u2019s first Champions League final since 2016.<\/p>\n

The first leg ended 1-1 and another cagey game in north London was settled by Bukayo Saka\u2019s first-half goal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Arsenal have not only booked their place in a first Champions League final in 20 years but are closing in on the Premier League<\/a> title, boasting a five-point lead over Manchester City<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Simeone said Arsenal were worthy winners of the first semi-final tie and described Mikel Arteta<\/a>\u2019s team as the best he has faced this season despite meeting La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid on multiple occasions.<\/p>\n

Asked whether Atletico were unlucky not to reach the final, which will be held on May 30 in Budapest, Simeone said: \u2018Well if we got knocked out it\u2019s because our opponents deserved to get through.<\/p>\n

\u2018They took their big chance in the first-half and they deserved to get through. I feel calm, I feel peaceful.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Arsenal
\n\t\tArsenal beat Atletico 2-1 across two legs (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

\u2018We weren\u2019t clinical enough with the situations we were in. We improved in the second-half. There were things that could\u2019ve gone our way but they didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u2018We gave it our all and now we have to accept the place that we are in. Thanks to our supporters and players I feel proud to be where we are right now.<\/p>\n

\u2018I said we wanted to compete and we have done that. Unfortunately we haven\u2019t won anything but we have got to places that are hard to get to.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Arsenal
\n\t\tSimeone also heaped praise on Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

\u2018Arsenal were the better team over these two legs, they are the best team we have faced this season. They play with a rhythm and a conviction that is very difficult to contain.\u2019<\/p>\n

Discussing Gunners boss Arteta in his post-match press conference, Simeone added: \u2018I think Mikel has done an incredible job at Arsenal.<\/p>\n

\u2018He\u2019s been trying to get to this point for a long time, to reach the Champions League and to win the league.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Arsenal
\n\t\tAtletico left north London disappointed (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

\u2018They have incredible financial power, and that\u2019s linked to what they\u2019re doing, I\u2019m really pleased for them. They deserve it. They\u2019ve been working very hard for many years.\u2019<\/p>\n

Simeone also hailed Arsenal as the best team Atletico Madrid have come up against after losing to the Gunners in the group stages of the Champions League<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak, meanwhile, also admitted that Arsenal \u2018deserved\u2019 to advance to the Champions League final, where they will face Bayern Munich or holders PSG.<\/p>\n

\u2018Whoever wins is always the best team,\u2019 he said. \u2018They won it and congratulations to them. Of course, we are sad and angry but that\u2019s football.<\/p>\n

\u2018The second half was good. Maybe we showed them a little bit too much respect in the first and were afraid to play. It was good after that but not enough to progress to the final.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s unlucky for us and we\u2019re upset but it\u2019s life. Arsenal were better and they\u2019re in the final.\u2019<\/p>\n

PSG have a narrow one-goal advantage over Bayern Munich ahead of their semi-final second leg after sealing a thrilling 5-4 win in Paris last week<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
\nFacebook<\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Thierry Henry reveals private conversation with Arsenal star before Atletico Madrid win<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Arsene Wenger responds to Arsenal celebrations after Atletico Madrid win<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Declan Rice takes swipe at Chelsea after Arsenal reach Champions League final<\/a><\/p>\n


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