Arsenal make call on extra security for rival boss following row with fan

Diego Simeone clashed with a Liverpool fan during Atletico Madrid’s previous visit to England and Arsenal have made a decision on whether to beef up their security ahead of Tuesday’s game

Arsenal have decided NOT to provide additional security for Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, despite his clash with a Liverpool fan last month. Simeone, 55, is known for his volatile behaviour on the touchline and he engaged in a verbal spat with a Liverpool supporter during the closing stages of the two teams’ Champions League match at Anfield last month.

As punishment, the Argentine was slapped with a touchline ban for their next game in Europe, watching from the stands as they beat Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 at home. But Simeone will be back in the dugout for Atletico’s next trip to England on Tuesday, as Arsenal play host to the Spanish giants.

But, as reported by the Sun, Arsenal have opted against beefing up their security. The Gunners don’t anticipate an incident akin to the one at Anfield, although stewards will be in their usual positions in case of any aggro.

The visiting team’s dugout at Arsenal is also further away from the home fans when compared to the close-quarters nature of Anfield. Simeone got plenty of stick during Atletico’s 3-2 defeat on Merseyside, in particular when Liverpool supporters goaded him while celebrating Virgil van Dijk’s winning goal in the 92nd minute.

The Atletico manager had to be held back from a cluster of Liverpool fans by stewards and members of his own coaching staff, and he received a red card for his angry reaction. UEFA subsequently found Simeone guilty of ‘unsporting conduct’.

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“Firstly I regret the part I played,” the 55-year-old admitted afterwards. “It’s clear we are in a position where we do not have the right to react and it is not good when we react.

“It’s not easy to be in the position we are in and receive insults for the whole game. I saw it from far away after the third goal. I saw the third goal go in and I turned, the insults continued, and well, I’m a person.”

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is looking forward to facing Simeone for the first time in his coaching career. “What he has done since he got to Atletico has been outstanding, not only what has achieved but the way he has done it,” Arteta commented.

“The identity he has created, they are simple and clear to identify because the manager is very much them. That’s very difficult to achieve, he’s been there 14 years and what he’s done is incredible.

“He is someone I look up to. His passion, how long he has been in the game, how he still has that capacity to transmit a willingness to win. To keep convincing players in this environment, you have to be extraordinarily good.”

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