Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone heaped praise on Mikel Arteta and Arsenal - but couldn't stop himself from firing a subtle dig
Diego Simeone
Diego Simeone brought up finances after his side's defeat to Arsenal(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
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Diego Simeone fired a subtle dig at Arsenal by referencing how much money they've spent on transfers despite admitting the Gunners deserved to reach the Champions League final. Bukayo Saka scored the decisive goal on the stroke of half-time to fire the Gunners to a 2-1 aggregate semi-final triumph.
They will face either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on May 30. There were heated scenes in the final moments of the game, with the Atleti head coach appearing to shove Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta on the touchline.
There were no complaints from Simeone after the match, with the Argentine praising Mikel Arteta. However, he couldn't resist a reference to the Gunners' spending power. Arsenal splashed out around £250million last summer on stars like Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi.
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."
On the tense scenes approaching full-time, Simeone raised no complaints, 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."
Diego Simeone
Simeone praised Mikel Arteta after the game(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
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Following Manchester City's 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday, which put the Premier League title race in Arsenal's hands, and their triumph over Atleti just 24 hours later, Arteta's side are now only four matches away from completing a momentous double and securing the greatest campaign in the club’s 140-year history.
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.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Mikel Arteta, head coach of Arsenal, celebrates with Noni Madueke of Arsenal and Declan Rice of Arsenal after the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Atletico de Madrid at Arsenal Stadium on May 05, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Arteta led wild celebrations after the match(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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"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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