Arsenal issue response to ‘furious’ Atletico Madrid over Champions League row

Atletico Madrid were left furious with the issues at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night, ahead of their Champions League meeting with Arsenal on Tuesday

Arsenal have apologised to Atletico Madrid after a Champions League row threatened to boil over. Atletico Madrid made a formal complaint to UEFA because there was no hot water in the showers after training at the Emirates.

It meant the Spanish club left the stadium without being able to shower and had to go back to their hotel in London. Spanish paper Marca reported that Atletico were “furious” over the row which left players in sweaty kit after their pre-match training session at the Emirates.

It sounded like a throwback to some old school tactics when the likes of Wimbledon back in the day used to turn off hot water to make it uncomfortable for opponents. But Arsenal insist it was an innocent mistake which affected both dressing rooms and was rectified as soon as they realised there was a problem.

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The problem affected both dressing rooms but Atletico alerted Arsenal staff at 6.45pm and the Spanish club were due to finish training at 7.30pm.

They ended up finishing early at 7.15pm and opted to go back to their hotel with Arsenal saying the issue was resolved at 7.25pm.

Arsenal have now apologised to Atletico for the inconvenience caused.

UEFA rules mean visiting clubs can train in the opposing stadium the night before Champions League games. Not all clubs take up the option and Arsenal traditionally train in London before departing on foreign trips.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone returns to the touchline tonight after a one game ban after a bust-up with fans at Liverpool last month. There is huge admiration between Simeone and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta ahead of the Champions League phase clash.

Arteta said about Simeone: “If I have to choose it in words, it is the willingness to win. The way they live. The way they behave, the way they act in everything and the purpose they have to win and they find a way to do that. They change a lot of players and the competition in Spain has increased.

“They have two very big clubs but they have always been there. That is something driven by their mentality and their passion and after that specifically the way he sees the game and he tries to encourage his teams to play. The main thing is that.

“The way they have won major trophies, been in Champions League finals and made all the right steps when they need to do the important step. We need to try and do that and we are on the journey to try and achieve that.”

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