Arsenal have apologised to Atletico Madrid after a hot water failure at Emirates Stadium disrupted the Spanish team’s pre-match preparations.
The issue left Atletico players unable to use hot showers following their training session on Monday evening, ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League group-stage clash. UEFA regulations allow visiting teams to train at the host stadium the day before a fixture.
Diego Simeone’s squad was forced to cut their session short after discovering there was no hot water in their dressing room. Originally scheduled to finish at 19:30, the team ended training 15 minutes early and returned to their hotel.
Spanish media reported that Atletico players were frustrated by the inconvenience. Arsenal later apologised to the visiting staff, and the issue was resolved shortly afterward.
Arsenal have started their Champions League campaign strongly, winning their opening two games without conceding. Atletico, on the other hand, lost 3-2 to Liverpool but rebounded with a 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Ahead of the match, Mikel Arteta praised Simeone’s team for their discipline and competitive spirit.
“You can see their willingness to win in every ball and every yard. Their organisation and discipline are very high, and they have gathered talent specifically suited to their style over the years. They are excellent at exploiting opportunities,” Arteta said.
