Arsenal Issues Apology Following Atletico Madrid’s Formal Complaint to UEFA
Arsenal Football Club issued an apology to Atletico Madrid after a water supply issue occurred at the Emirates Stadium ahead of their Champions League match. The incident took place on Monday evening during Atletico’s training session.
Water Supply Issue Leads to Complaint
Atletico Madrid discovered only cold water in their changing room, which prompted them to lodge a formal complaint with UEFA. This issue also affected Arsenal’s dressing room.
Approximately 45 minutes before Atletico was scheduled to conclude their training, Arsenal was alerted to the problem. The Premier League club managed to resolve the matter before the players returned. However, Atletico decided to cut their training session short and head back to their hotel for showers instead.
Response from Arsenal and Arteta’s Admiration
Following the incident, Arsenal extended their apologies to Atletico Madrid. Manager Mikel Arteta expressed his admiration for Atletico, particularly highlighting their organization and competitive spirit under coach Diego Simeone.
Arteta praised Simeone’s achievements, stating, “What he has done since he has got to Atletico has been outstanding.” He noted the clear identity and spirit Simeone has instilled in the club and acknowledged its challenging nature to maintain such standards over 14 years.
- Incident: Cold water supply in changing rooms
- Date: Monday evening before Champions League match
- Clubs involved: Arsenal and Atletico Madrid
- Coach of Atletico: Diego Simeone
Arteta mentioned that he looks up to Simeone for inspiration, emphasizing the unique challenges faced in maintaining high performance over time. The incident highlighted not only logistical issues but also the mutual respect between the two clubs as they prepare for their match.
Arsenal aims to continue their strong performance in the group phase, while Atletico’s preparation for the clash remains focused despite the disruptions.
