Arsenal: Diego Simeone display highlights the need

Arsenal took on Atletico Madrid at the Emirates on Thursday night. Diego Simeone was on full display. He is a must for Arsene Wenger’s successor.

Arsenal failed to keep a clean sheet once again in their Europa League clash against Atletico. Madrid, on the other hand, was solid defensively even with only ten men. That’s down to excellent, sound, disciplined coaching from manager Diego Simeone. He must be brought to the Emirates this summer.

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Arsene Wenger is leaving at the end of the year. Everyone knows that now. The club is hunting for a new manager, one that is strong-willed and knows how to defend better.

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Perhaps, then, Simeone is the man who could usher in a new era at the club. He is organized defensively and plays that counter-attacking football that has taken the game by storm in response to the tika-taka phenomenon. He is passionate and feisty when it’s game time and Arsenal would greatly benefit from a coach of his quality.

Atletico is poised to come runner-ups in La Liga this season finishing behind untouchables Barcelona. It is also four points clear of rivals Real Madrid. Simeone has done a wonderful job since coming in 2011. He has turned them into European giants, a team to be feared and respected worldwide. He has brought in and nurtured players such as Antoine Griezmann and Radamal Falcao. Both of those players have gone on to become world-class players, pairing them with an organised defence that allows them to flourish.

That defensive organisation was on full display at the Emirates on Thursday. Simo Vrasjlko was sent off ten minutes into the game and yet they only conceded once. Most teams would struggle to keep their shape and play such a low block, but Atletico simply settled into their structure and got to work.

Arsenal defenders would thrive under his tutelage. In coming to the Emirates, Simeone would be in ushering in a new era. Simeone’s Atletico has only conceded eighteen goals so far this season, the best of Europe’s top five leagues, something that the Gunners could desperately use.

They have struggled to keep clean sheets this season. The defense looks weak and fragile, a mistake just waiting to happen in most cases. The backline is vastly experienced, Laurent Koscielny is a France regular and Shkodran Mustafi is a World Cup winner. So is it just a thing of nerves or is it poor coaching? Having Simeone would rule one if not both of those possibilities out.

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His passion and drive are that of a lion. He never gives in and will always fight until the end. Arsenal needs a man of this power, someone who will defend his players but also expect a lot from them. His tenacity and tactical know-how is unrivaled and would be a welcomed addition to the Emirates and the Premier League.