close
Arsenal fans on social media are delighted with Mikel Arteta after the starting XI for the Atletico Madrid clash in the UEFA Champions League. Many believe it is the best team they could have chosen for the match.
David Raya keeps his place in goal and will be hoping to have a third game in a row without a shot on target from the opponents. Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, and Gabriel keep their place in the backline, while Myles Lewis-Skelly comes in for Riccardo Calafiori at left-back.
Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi are in the midfield, with Eberechi Eze given the attacking role by Mikel Arteta. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are on the wings today, with Viktor Gyokeres leading the attack once again.
Many posted in praise of the manager:
@Arsenal Good to see Martinelli and Myles Skelly ❤️🔥
@afcstuff Happy to see Skelly back and Martinelli returning
This is probably Arsenal’s best possible line up at the moment. Lewis-Skelly finally starts the match and Martinelli starts too.
@Arsenal Stoing team. It's good to see MLS and Martinelli start. This will be very tough, but we're on imperious firm. Come on, Arsenal
Mikel Arteta spoke about Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, heaping praise on the Argentine and hailing him as one of the best managers in the world. He said in his press conference (via club website):
"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."
Mikel Arteta is facing Atletico Madrid for the first time since becoming the Arsenal manager. He has faced them once in his playing career, winning 1-0 with Real Sociedad.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta learning from Diego Simeone
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was asked if he takes inspiration from Diego Simeone in his managerial career. The Spaniard admitted that he looks up to managers in all steps of his career and said (via club website):
"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."
Arsenal have won their opening two matches of the UEFA Champions League this season, while Atletico Madrid have one win and one loss.
Why did you not like this content?
Cancel Submit
Was this article helpful?
like selected
avatar selected
Thank You for feedback
About the author
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,
Sripad is a veteran Sportskeeda football journalist who has been with the company for around 10 years. His tryst with writing happened in class XI when he started penning blogs, and his foray into football was during the early 2000s, watching matches with his cousins.
Sripad has been a Chelsea fan through and through since the age of 9 and can watch their 2012 Champions League triumph on repeat. The undisputed ‘GOAT’ according to him is Lionel Messi and his favorite managers are Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson. Apart from popular European leagues, he also likes to follow other leagues like the MLS, Saudi Pro League, Eredivisie, and Liga MX.
Sripad believes in only using the right sources for his articles, and is an expert in understanding how to get the right quotes for each news to provide proper background information. His exploits have led him to become a popular figure in European Football and interviewing Premier League legends such as Alan Shearer, Shay Given, Paul Dickov, and John Barnes. His articles have been much revered amongst the football fraternity and have been shared by the likes of John Terry, Gary Lineker, and Declan Rice.
If given a chance to change a football rule, Sripad wants VAR to be fully automated and offside rules to be less stringent. When not working, he likes to watch past Formula 1 races and play FIFA.
Know More
Quick Links
More from Sportskeeda
Edited by Sripad