The first finalist for the 2025/26 Champions League final has been confirmed with Arsenal beating Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Emirates. Having drawn the first leg, the Gunners got across the line in north London, going through with a 2-1 victory on aggregate.
As many predicted, it was a tight game between the European clubs, with Mikel Arteta's men just about edging it. The Spaniard will feel as though his team did enough to make the final, with Bukayo Saka's goal the difference between the teams.
While Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain's semi-final was billed as a game for purists, living up to expectations with a thrilling 5-4 finish to the first leg, Arsenal's tie against Atletico was always expected to be a more tense affair. Managers Arteta and Diego Simeone are known for their pragmatic football and spiky personalities, and their meeting has sparked plenty of debate.
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone during a Champions League press conference Related
Simeone Names Best Team Atletico Have Faced Out of Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs & Barca
Atletico have also played Real Madrid and Inter this season, but one side stands out to Simeone as his toughest opponent.
Dan Thomas Suggests 'Punching Arteta in the Face'
Mikel Arteta
Covering the game in the United States for ESPNFC, show host Dan Thomas caused a stir when he posed the question:
"At what stage, as the opposition coach, do you want to punch Arteta in the face? How much does than annoy you?"
This led to a somewhat surprised reaction from the other pundits on the show, with Craig Burley interjecting to note that it was unfair to single out Arteta, when Simeone is just as animated on the touchline. He said: "Hold on, the two of them are as bad as each other."
Thomas then replied: "I thought, today, Arteta out-Simeoned, Simeone. The way he was running around at the end. It's got to be frustrating, hasn't it, as an opposition coach?"
Showing no loyalty to his former club, ex-Arsenal player Stewart Robson sided with Thomas as he mocked Arteta, saying:
"What is a coach on the side of the pitch supposed to do? He's meant to coach the game, he's meant to give instructions. All Arteta does, I think he's doing it for himself: 'Look at me, I'm great, I run this club, I do this, I do that... It's just absolutely pathetic."
Robson then claimed that he would have deliberately gone after Arteta if he was on the pitch, adding:
"If I was running down the side, I'd make sure I actually topped him. I'd tackle the ball and tackle him at the same time."
This prompted laughter and smirks from the entire ESPN panel.
The comments soon went viral on social media, drawing huge criticism as the punditry was described as 'bottom of the barrel'. Among those angered was journalist Tom Canton, who said: "This is disgraceful."
Adding to that, insider transfer expert HandofArsenal was outraged, taking to social media to write:
"Don't ever let Arteta abuse become this normalised. Talking about punching Mikel in the face? Get in the bin. That's what these news outlets have become …trash.
"Sky trying to do the bottle gimmick. The man is human you know. Genuinely, every one of them needs sacking."