Atletico Madrid vs. Arsenal: How Mikel Arteta can beat "horrible" Diego Simeone as Champions League semi-final approaches

Arsenal indispensable not go frustrated by Atletico Madrid's defence successful their Champions League semi-final tie, former pro Paul Dickov exclusively told Sports Mole.

Diego Simeone's Atletico await the Gunners successful the archetypal limb of their semi-final tie connected Wednesday, and the victor volition look either Paris Saint-Germain oregon Bayern Munich.

Mikel Arteta volition cognize that their Spanish opponents could beryllium hard to interruption down owed to their famed antiaircraft rigidity, and Wednesday's clash successful the Metropolitano whitethorn beryllium tense.

Dickov insisted that the Gunners volition person to beryllium diligent and not get frustrated by Atletico's defence, telling Sports Mole: "Arsenal are going to person to beryllium truthful diligent due to the fact that Atletico person 1 thing, they’ll grind retired a result.

"They’re horrible to play against. We each cognize that, but I bash fancy Arsenal to get the occupation done and caput into the Champions League final."

Given the archetypal limb is distant from home, it would not beryllium astonishing if Arteta settled for a gully and looked to triumph the necktie astatine the Emirates.

Are Atletico Madrid and Diego Simeone much unsafe than fans think?

The Gunners bushed their Spanish opponents 4-0 successful October 2025 successful the league signifier of the Champions League, and immoderate supporters are hopeful of a akin effect connected Wednesday.

However, it would beryllium foolish for Arteta to work excessively overmuch into that lucifer considering the Spanish broadside person already managed to sound retired giants Barcelona.

Dickov cautioned Arsenal fans against discounting the prime of Atletico, erstwhile helium told Sports Mole: "While I backmost Arsenal, it’s Diego Simeone they're coming up against, isn’t it?

"Atletico Madrid are a squad that you tin ne'er constitute them off. You wouldn’t person backed Atletico Madrid to get this far.

"You wouldn’t person thought past that Atletico Madrid would beryllium a squad going done to the Champions League semi-final. You wouldn’t person thought they’d beryllium a squad beating Barcelona implicit 2 legs."

Simeone has managed to usher his squad to 2 Champions League finals during his clip astatine the club, truthful the hosts' quality to get the amended of the Gunners should not beryllium underestimated.

Bayern Munich oregon PSG: Can Arsenal triumph the Champions League?

In the different broadside of the draw, Bayern Munich clashed with Paris Saint-Germain successful the archetypal limb of their semi-final clash connected Tuesday, with PSG emerging arsenic 5-4 victors.

Both teams opposition stylistically with Arsenal, with some taking acold much risks successful the last third, and determination could beryllium scope to exploit their antiaircraft weaknesses.

Speaking to Sports Mole, Dickov was eagerly looking guardant to a imaginable last against either Bayern Munich oregon PSG, saying: "Arsenal managed to bushed Atletico comfortably earlier connected successful the league stage, and that is important.

"So I bash backmost Arsenal to scope the Champions League final, but you’re looking astatine 1 of PSG oregon Bayern Munich then. What a crippled that’s going to be."

The victor of the necktie betwixt PSG and Bayern volition astir surely beryllium seen arsenic favourites to assertion the trophy, but Arsenal indispensable archetypal get the amended of Atletico earlier contemplating a gathering with either club.

Paul Dickov was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of MrQ - cheque retired our exclusive MrQ promo code here.