Real Madrid’s Champions League win is fantastic for Arsenal
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Nobody remembers the losers. That was the opinion of Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone after his side suffered heartache in the Champions League final, going down on penalties to local rivals Real. In the Argentine’s case however, Arsenal aren’t likely to forget him.
Simeone has now lost the showpiece match of Europe’s biggest club competition twice in the space of three years, both times to Los Blancos. After his latest disappointment, the 46-year-old wondered if his time with Los Colchoneros had come to an end.
“Do I have to continue with Atlético or is it the end of a cycle? I have to think about that,” the former midfielder said after the game.
“It’s a logical question for you to ask after a defeat like the one we’ve suffered today,” he concluded.
Should his answer be a parting of ways , then Arsenal stand to benefit. The Gunners are widely expected to end their long-term relationship with Arsene Wenger when the Frenchman’s contract ends next summer.
With a host of big-name managers taking up fresh posts at other clubs in the last few months, the north Londoners’ options were looking scant.
Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola are set to renew their bitter rivalry from their El Clasico days in Manchester. Carlo Ancelotti is heading to Bayern Munich and Antonio Conte is taking over at Chelsea.
Should Simeone decide to leave the Vicente Calderon Stadium, then the Gunners may just land on their feet.
On paper, the Argentine is a perfect fit for the Emirates outfit. He rebuilt Atleti into genuine trophy contenders in Spain, ending Barcelona and Real’s nine-year stranglehold on La Liga when winning the division in 2014.
He has also claimed the Europa League and the Copa del Rey with the club as well as collecting silver in the Champions League twice.
With that sort of CV, you’d think Simeone would be well-placed to end Arsenal’s 12-year wait for a Premier League title.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
