Simeone expects to see Atletico´s ´clear identity´ shine through against Arsenal

Diego Simeone says Atletico Madrid have a “very clear identity” and is confident that they will cause Arsenal problems in their Champions League clash on Tuesday.

After an indifferent start to the season, Atletico have found their feet in recent weeks and are currently on a six-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.

And they got off the mark in the Champions League on matchday two, as well, beating Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 having suffered a last-gasp defeat to Liverpool in their opening game.

They face a tough test in Arsenal, though, with Mikel Arteta’s side yet to concede in Europe’s premier competition this term, while they rank first for expected goals against (0.9).

Simeone is wary of the Gunners’ threat, but he is confident Atletico have what it takes to get a result at the Emirates.

“We are going to face a very good team, with incredible characteristics in how they manage each match,” Simeone said.

“For five or six years now, since Arteta’s arrival, they have had an absolutely clear identity. They don’t compromise on it, they keep bringing in better players, leaving spaces where they need to improve to bring in footballers, and it shows.

“They have competed in the last few leagues until the end, with merits that didn’t quite come to fruition. But they reflected their identity.

Noches de Champions pic.twitter.com/XtvlcANOX3

— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) October 20, 2025

“We will have to take the game to where we can hurt them. In a wonderful stadium, with fans who will push as we know English football does, and at a high pace of play.

“Everyone has their own path. We have ours. We have a very clear identity, we know how we play, we have evolved according to the characteristics of our players, and we come with the hope of playing a great match.

“To take home a win away and in the Champions League, and to face it with the intensity that a match like this deserves.”

Atletico have never won away to an English side in the group/league phase of the Champions League, failing in all four attempts to date (D2 L3).

Simeone has beaten Arsenal before though, with Atletico triumphing in the 2017-18 semi-finals of the Europa League 2-1 on aggregate; the Rojiblancos won 1-0 away from home on that occasion.

And Arteta was full of praise for his opposite number when asked if Simeone’s time in charge was an inspiration to him.

“Well, obviously there is someone that I look up to and learn from him in many situations and what is for me outstanding is his passion,” Arteta said.

“I think for how long he’s been in the game and in the same club with the same players, how you still have that hand 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 I 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.”