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Diego Simeone explains why Arsenal’s new feat of reaching UCL final is deserved
06th May, 2026 07:33 AM
Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone conceded defeat after his Spanish side failed to reach the UEFA Champions League final after a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Arsenal on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Speaking after Bukayo Saka’s sole goal sent the Gunners past the Madrid club, the Argentine acknowledged that Arsenal had been the better side over two legs.
Calm and relaxed
“I feel calm. I feel peaceful. The team gave absolutely everything,” he said. “We were competing with a team that has so much strength and power. We have to accept the place we are in,” he said.
“I think the team gave absolutely everything in the first leg; we could have won it in the second half, but we weren’t clinical enough.
“We improved a lot in the second half compared to the first half tonight. We had chances, and there were things that could have gone our way but did not,” he explained.
Simeone was also full of praise for the progress Arsenal had made under Mikel Arteta, terming their qualification to the final, a first one in two decades, as deserved.
Arteta’s done an incredible job
I think Mikel Arteta has done an incredible job at Arsenal. He has been trying to get to this point for a long time.
“They have incredible financial power, and that’s linked to what they are doing. I’m really pleased for them.
“They deserve it. They have been working really hard for many years,” he stated.
Gunners seal UCL final return
Arsenal now heads to the final in Budapest, Hungary, hoping to clinch a first UCL trophy in the club’s history.
The Gunners will face off against the winner between PSG and Bayern Munich, who clash this Wednesday, May 5, 2026, at the Allianz Arena.
A high-scoring first leg pitting the clubs culminated in a 5-4 score line in favour of the Parisians.
