Diego Simeone believes that if Atletico Madrid want to be successful again in LaLiga, they must follow in the footsteps of Arsenal under Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years earlier this week, marking the second major trophy during the Spaniard's near-seven-year tenure. 

But for Atletico, it has been another season of near-misses, with the club currently fourth, though they could climb one place if they beat Villarreal on the final matchday.

Simeone's side also lost on penalties to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final while they were eliminated in the 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 their 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 told reporters. 

"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 2025-26, against a Villarreal side who are looking to end a fine season on a high. 

And it is set to be an emotional match for many reasons, with Antoine Griezmann playing his final match for the club before departing for MLS after the 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 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 told reporters.

"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."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Villarreal – Georges Mikautadze

Mikautadze has both scored and assisted in four different LaLiga matches this season, the joint-most of any player in the competition alongside team-mate Alberto Moleiro.

His 18 goal involvements (12 goals, six assists) in the league in 2025-26 are more than any other Villarreal player, and he will be keen to add to that tally here.

Atletico Madrid – Antoine Griezmann

After an emotional send-off at the Metropolitano last time out, Griezmann will bring the curtain down on his Atletico career here before moving to Orlando City SC.

He has made 562 LaLiga appearances, a tally surpassed only by Andoni Zubizarreta (622), Joaquin Sanchez (622) and Raul Garcia (609) in the history of the competition.

MATCH PREDICTION: VILLARREAL WIN

Despite being favoured by the Opta supercomputer, Villarreal are without a win in their last seven home LaLiga matches against Atletico (D5 L2) since a 2-1 victory in March 2018, their longest such winless run against the Rojiblancos in the top flight.

Villarreal have also failed to win in their last three LaLiga matches (D1 L2), losing each of the last two. They have not suffered three consecutive league defeats since a run of four under Quique Setien between January and February 2023.

They are currently third with 69 points (W21 D6 L10), and are aiming to finish in the top three of LaLiga for the third time in their history, having previously finished there in 2004-05 (65 points) and second in 2007-08 (77 points), both under Manuel Pellegrini.

After their 2-0 win at home last September, Atletico are looking to complete a league double over Villarreal for the fourth time in their history, and the first since 2023-24.

Under Simeone, Atletico have drawn 11 of their 27 LaLiga matches against Villarreal. Only against Real Madrid (12 in 29 games) have they had more draws in the competition.

However, this is an Atletico team that have scored 116 goals in 63 matches in all competitions this season. They will set a new club record for most goals in a single campaign if they score in this match, surpassing the 116 they netted in 2013-14 (61 games).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Villarreal – 40.4%

Draw – 25.1%

Atletico Madrid – 34.5%