Arsenal have issued an apology to Atletico Madrid after both changing rooms at the Emirates Stadium were left with only cold water ahead of their Champions League clash on Tuesday. The Spanish side trained at the stadium on Monday evening but discovered the lack of hot water, prompting a formal complaint to Uefa.
The issue also affected Arsenal’s own dressing room, and the Premier League club was alerted approximately 45 minutes before Diego Simeone’s side were due to finish their session. Arsenal resolved the matter before players returned, but Atletico opted to end training early and returned to their hotel for showers.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was complimentary about Atletico, praising the “really high level of organisation” from Simeone’s side. “It is about how they compete and after how they play,” Arteta said. “What he has done since he has got to Atletico has been outstanding.”
Arteta admitted to using Simeone as an inspiration, adding: “What is for me outstanding is his passion… to keep convincing players, you have to be extraordinary.” Arsenal aim to maintain their perfect Champions League group phase record.
