Simeone looking to Arsenal to shape Atleti future
Diego Simeone is planning for next season with Atletico Madrid, and the balance of Arsenal's team is something he wants to replicate.
Arsenal was crowned Premier League champion for the first time in 22 years last week, marking the second major trophy of the Spaniard's near-seven-year tenure.
But for Atletico, it has been another season of near-misses, with the club currently fourth in LaLiga, although it could climb one place if it beat Villarreal on the final matchday.
Simeone's side also lost on penalties to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final and it was eliminated in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals by Arsenal, 2-1 on aggregate.
The Atletico boss had hinted he could walk away from the club after 17 successful years as its head coach, a period that has seen him lift two LaLiga titles.
But, having now committed his immediate future to the club, Simeone insisted that after a busy summer 12 months ago, more of the same could follow.
"The mission is there, the search exists, year after year we reinvent ourselves. Last year eight left. Nico [Gonzalez] arrived on the hour and did very well," Simeone said.
"The way to improve is to look for the best for the team. I always say it, this is about players, not coaches. And the better the players, the better the coaches."
When asked specifically about what was needed for next season, Simeone highlighted Arteta's Arsenal as a model to try and replicate.
"On the offensive side, we have evolved a lot. Despite the criticism, the team attacks well, so we need to improve defensively," he said.
"Arsenal proves it by being the most balanced team of those competing at the highest level. Hopefully we can find that balance that we all need."
The Estadio de la Ceramica will be the venue for Atletico's final LaLiga match of 2025-2026, against a Villarreal side which is looking to end a fine season on a high.
It is set to be an emotional match for many reasons, with Antoine Griezmann playing his final match for the club before departing for major League Soccer after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Villarreal boss Marcelino will also take charge of his last game after announcing earlier this month he would leave, bringing an end to his second stint with the Yellow Submarine.
The 60-year-old has led Villarreal to back-to-back UEFA Champions League qualifications, and Simeone acknowledged the difficulties his team will face on the final day.
"It's clear that it's an important game to finish better in LaLiga than we were throughout the season," Simeone said.
"Let's hope to have the awareness of achieving that and finishing as high as possible, which is third.
"The opponent will try to do it in the best way because of the farewells of Marcelino and [Dani] Parejo, and we will see how it develops on the pitch."
