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Atlético Madrid filed a UEFA complaint after cold showers at Emirates before facing Arsenal. Arsenal apologized, adding tension to the Champions League clash.
Arsenal are in hot water with Atleti due to a lack of the same (X)
Tuesday’s Champions League clash between Arsenal and Atlético Madrid just got a little more heated, and it has nothing to do with tactics.
According to reports from MARCA, Atlético have lodged a formal complaint with UEFA after their pre-match training session at the Emirates turned into a cold shower, literally.
Under UEFA rules, visiting teams are allowed to train at the host stadium the day before the game. But when Diego Simeone’s men arrived for their routine session on Monday, they found there was no hot water in the dressing rooms.
Despite flagging the issue early, the water stayed icy cold throughout their stay — forcing the players to leave in their wet, muddy kits after a rain-soaked session. Arsenal staff reportedly fixed the problem, but only ten minutes after Atlético had already left the building.
Frustrated, the La Liga side reached out to UEFA to file a formal complaint over the lack of facilities. Arsenal have since issued an apology, but the incident has only added a touch more tension to an already fiery European matchup.
Arteta Full of Praise for Simeone Ahead of Clash
If there’s any bad blood, Mikel Arteta isn’t showing it. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Arsenal boss was full of admiration for Diego Simeone.
“Obviously, there is someone that I look up to and learn from in many situations,” Arteta said. “What’s outstanding is his passion. For how long he’s been in the game and at the same club, keeping that hunger and ability to transmit energy and the will to win.”
This won’t be the first time Simeone has clashed with Arsenal.
The Argentine famously saw red just 12 minutes into the Europa League semi-final first leg back in 2018, after fuming over Sime Vrsaljko’s early dismissal. Even without him on the touchline, Atlético knocked Arsenal out 2–1 on aggregate and went on to lift the trophy against Marseille.
Now, seven years later, Simeone returns to North London. And thanks to a plumbing mishap, the heat is very much on.
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
October 21, 2025, 15:36 IST
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