Diego Simeone admitted Atletico Madrid were “beaten by a better team” after a brutal 13-minute spell saw Arsenal score four times in a dominant 4-0 Champions League win. The Argentine boss praised his side’s early effort but fumed at costly errors, set-piece lapses and a lack of composure as every Arsenal chance “ended in a goal”.
Arsenal ruthless as Atletico collapse under pressure
Arsenal delivered one of their most clinical European displays of the season, brushing aside Atletico 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Goals from Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and a Viktor Gyokeres brace inside 13 chaotic minutes left the visitors stunned and unable to respond. Simeone’s side held firm until the 57th minute, but once the first goal went in, Atletico’s structure crumbled.
The Gunners’ dominance came particularly from dead-ball situations. Three of their four goals came from set-pieces, with Declan Rice delivering pinpoint crosses that repeatedly breached Los Rojiblancos' defence. Martinelli’s composed finish and Gyokeres’ poacher’s brace capped off a statement performance that has firmly established Arsenal as serious contenders in Europe this season.
AdvertisementAFPSimeone reacts to brutal defeat to Arsenal
The Argentine praised his team’s initial effort but didn’t shy away from criticising their mistakes and lack of focus in key moments.
"First, the positive: we competed very well until the first goal," Simeone said. "After that, we could have defended better. They do it very well, they score a lot of goals. Set pieces are so important in football, especially in these competitions, where every detail helps you take control of the match.
He added: "We could have made a mistake in the 2-0, but we didn't. It's not bad luck, it's just mistakes. From then on, they were decisive, better, and in 20 minutes, every chance they had was a goal."
Mistakes, missed chances and learning the hard way
Before Arsenal's opener, Atletico did have their moments. Julian Alvarez came close to scoring in the first half after David Raya wandered out of position and lost the ball, but the Argentine’s shot curled just wide. Eberechi Eze also struck the crossbar early on, highlighting that Atleti could have taken the lead before their collapse.
Simeone acknowledged that fine margins defined the match, admitting Atletico failed to capitalise on their chances while the Gunners punished every error: "Julian's shot in the first half, the one that hit the crossbar, are long gone… The team competed well, but this lesson is what the match left us with. The decisiveness and the details in the passages of play are decisive. This time against us.
“They were superior and very decisive in that stretch of the game. After the set-piece goal, they began to take advantage of it. They pushed us, they pushed us to give our all until the first goal, and I have nothing to say to the team. They tried, they ran, and were beaten by a better team.”
This defeat leaves Los Colchoneros 18th in the Champions League standings. With just five matches left, they currently sit outside the automatic knockout qualification zone and would only qualify for the play-off round if they finish in this position.
AFPWhat next for Atletico?
Atleti have little time to dwell on the defeat. They next welcome Union Saint-Gilloise to Madrid on November 4, in what is already shaping into a must-win match. Before that, they face Real Betis and Sevilla in La Liga, a crucial fixtures as they look to rebuild confidence.
Atletico have reached two Champions League finals under Simeone, in 2014 and 2016, but their current campaign is at risk of unravelling early if they fail to respond quickly. Defensive lapses, and lack of efficiency in the final third remain concerns the coaching staff must address.
For Arsenal, it’s the complete opposite story. They’ve won all three of their Champions League games, sit joint-top of the league phase alongside Paris Saint-Germain and Inter, and are also three points clear at the top of the Premier League. Arteta’s side are sending a clear message to Europe’s elite they’re back, and ready to challenge on every front.