As he gets ready to take on another defensive master, Diego Simeone, who will be bringing Atletico Madrid to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night in the Champions League, Mikel Arteta says he is pleased if his Arsenal team evokes memories of George Graham’s renownedly frugal champion era at the club.
With an impressive defensive record and a 1-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday, Arteta’s team is now three points clear at the top of the Premier League. In two Champions League matches and one Carabao Cup match this season, they have allowed three goals while remaining goalless after eight games in the competition.
A common cry for Graham’s team, who won the league title in 1989 and 1991, was “One-nil to the Ars-en-nal.” Arteta, who is trying to end the team’s 21-year wait for a comparable success, pointed out that if Graham valued victory above all else, then it remained so for him regardless of the score.
He acknowledged that it is, particularly at this moment. “The margins and outcomes you observe in modern football are typically one goal. That determines whether you win or lose, so we must be content and at ease with those slim margins and look for strategies to win.
Since it was a different age, I’m not as familiar with the specifics of Graham’s team. However, it is more than pleasant to me to be affiliated with winning teams that made our fans and the club happy.
As a group, we recognize the significance of defense. We are aware that our chances of winning more games will be extremely high if we do exceptionally well in that area of the game.
Arteta was questioned about his thoughts on Arsenal being positioned as the title favorites by bookmakers. He stated, “The only thing that I embrace is when I see the team, the energy, the temperature, the commitment, and the quality that they can deliver … it gives me that conviction that we can go all the way.”
Simeone has been in charge of Atlético since December 2011, and Arteta was full of admiration for him. The team was in 10th place in La Liga when the Argentinian took control, but he would lead them to fifth place. In all of his complete seasons, they have never finished outside the top four.
It is feasible to observe the parallels between Simeone and Arteta, including their liking of physical lineups that are uncompromising and game-changing in specific areas, as well as their impassioned approach to the touchline during games. However, Arteta is aware of the significant distinction. Simeone is a two-time La Liga champion.
“Atletico has won significant trophies, advanced to two Champions League finals [both against Real Madrid], and taken all the appropriate actions when they needed to take the crucial action,” Arteta stated. “We are on the path to try and accomplish that, and we need to try and do that.”
“First and foremost, Simeone’s team is willing to win. Every single ball, every single yard, and the way they play all convey that. It concerns how they compete, followed by their play. They are not the same thing at all.
“They have a great deal of organization and discipline, and they have developed many skills over the years that are very specific to the style of play they want to play.” They are adept at taking advantage of those chances.
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