Arsenal job not for me, says Atletico Madrid boss Simeone

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has played down the prospect of replacing Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger when he calls time on his 22-year spell in charge of the Gunners next month.

The duo will go head to head on Thursday when Arsenal play host to Atletico in their Europa League semi-final first-leg clash at Emirates Stadium – Wengers final home European match in charge of the north Londoners.

Simeone has been linked with taking charge of Chelsea should Antonio Conte depart Stamford Bridge this summer, but has also been mentioned in dispatches with regards to supplanting Wenger.

“I havent spoken with anyone at Arsenal. I love it at Atletico,” said Simeone.

Regarding Wengers tenure at Arsenal, Simeone has nothing but admiration. He added: “He is a fantastic coach and professional. He has amazing ability and he has been able to remain at the helm of a club like Arsenal which means he has had to reinvent himself many times.”

Simeone, meanwhile, is ready to unleash former Chelsea striker Diego Costa against the Gunners, despite initially claiming the battering ram forward had “no chance” of playing at Emirates Stadium.

Costa has missed Atleticos last three matches with a hamstring problem, but given he is a player who has a history of riling Arsenal – he scored three goals in six games against them while at Chelsea – Simeone is ready to throw the 29-year-old into action.

“Both in England and Spain, many teams have suffered at the hands of Diego Costa, not just Arsenal,” said Simeone.

“He trained hard on Tuesday and he trained on Wednesday and based on what we will see fit, he will either play from the start or from the bench.”

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CityAM

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