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Rule number one before playing Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side is not to make them angry…
But Arsenal have infuriated their Champions League opponents ahead of Tuesday night’s showdown at the Emirates, who have made an official complaint to UEFA.
Atlético trained at the stadium on Monday afternoon but after working up a sweat on the turf, they were unable to use their showers in the dressing room as there was no hot water.
It had rained during the session so Atletico opted to get on their team bus in a dirty kit before traveling back to shower at the team hotel.
Atlético informed their hosts about the situation shortly after 5:30 pm upon arrival, but Arsenal were unable to fix it before Simeone and his squad left.
The Gunners managed to have the hot water working again by the time Atletico were scheduled to finish training, but the Argentine boss called time on it early.
Atletico Madrid trained at the Emirates on Monday evening but were unable to use hot showers
Diego Simeone’s side reported Arsenal to UEFA and the Premier League team apologized
Given the outstanding facilities at the Emirates, Atletico were furious at the situation and even went as far as filing an official complaint to UEFA.
The hot water was not working for either dressing room, although clearly it was not an issue for the home side with Atletico the only team on the ground.
Arsenal have apologized to Tuesday night’s opponents for the inconvenience.
Under the official rules set out by UEFA, teams must provide hot showers but that is limited to matchdays and the infrastructure regulations do not extend to training sessions so it seems unlikely that the north London club will be punished.
Arteta’s men will be wary of any additional motivation given to the visitors, who often use Simeone’s siege mentality as fuel.
But the Gunners have won both of their games in the Champions League league stage so far and sit comfortably joint-top, fifth on goal difference.
Atletico, meanwhile, are 10th having beaten Eintracht Frankfurt and lost a thriller against Liverpool at Anfield.
