From Praise to Shade: Simeone Lauds Arsenal’s Brilliance, Takes Swipe at Liverpool

Diego Simeone praised Arsenal’s quality and intensity after Atlético Madrid’s crushing 4–0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Argentine admitted that Mikel Arteta’s side were the best team he has faced this season, while appearing to take a swipe at Liverpool when referencing past opponents.

AN EMPHATIC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WIN 🤩 pic.twitter.com/l1n5PCGEer

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 21, 2025

Arsenal Dismantle Atlético With Ruthless Ease

In a statement Champions League display, Arsenal dismantled Atlético Madrid with a mix of pace, pressing, and precision that left the Spanish giants chasing shadows. The Premier League leaders struck four times without reply, continuing a flawless European campaign that has seen them win all three games and concede none.

It was the kind of performance that reflected Mikel Arteta’s evolution of the Gunners into one of Europe’s most complete sides. Their control of possession, tactical fluidity, and defensive discipline were on full display, silencing any doubts over their ability to compete with the continent’s elite.

The Arsenal 🫣🤙🏼 pic.twitter.com/O0BCIC1ezm

— Gabriel Martinelli (@gabimartinelli) October 21, 2025

Diego Simeone, usually known for his defensive resilience, could only watch as Arsenal’s attacking waves kept coming.
Speaking after the match, the Atlético boss was unusually candid about his side’s shortcomings.

“I would say they are the best team we have faced this season. They compete so well, their players run and run, and they have quality all over the pitch. They deserved to win today and I want to congratulate them. It is a learning curve,” Simeone said.

His comments, made to Amazon Prime, came with a nod toward previous encounters this season with Real Madrid and Liverpool, hinting that neither had matched Arsenal’s level of intensity or cohesion.

Arteta’s Arsenal Emerge As Europe’s Most In-Form Side

While Atlético struggled to cope, the result underlined Arsenal’s transformation into genuine Champions League contenders. The North London club now boast a three-point cushion at the top of the Premier League and have yet to concede in Europe, a testament to the balance Arteta has found between attack and defence.

Summer arrivals such as Viktor Gyökeres have added depth and goals, while the established spine of William Saliba, Declan Rice, and Martin Ødegaard continues to mature into one of Europe’s strongest cores. Their ability to overwhelm opponents through relentless pressing and technical precision mirrors the standards of the very best.

For Simeone, this defeat may serve as a wake-up call as Atlético’s domestic campaign stalls. For Arteta, it was another emphatic sign that his Arsenal are no longer outsiders in Europe’s elite conversation — they are leading it.