Arsenal dominant 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League should have been the main talking point — yet an off-field controversy is now grabbing headlines across Europe. The Spanish giants have reportedly lodged an official complaint to UEFA after their players were unable to access hot showers during their pre-match training at the Emirates Stadium.
The incident — described by Spain’s leading outlets as “incomprehensible” — came just a day before Mikel Arteta’s side dismantled Diego Simeone’s men in a ruthless second-half display.
Arsenal Shine on the Field, Turmoil Behind the Scenes
It was a statement result by Arsenal on Tuesday evening at the Emirates. The cagey first half which saw wasted chances, in the second half Arsenal came to life. Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and a brace from Viktor Gyokeres ensured the Premier League side cruised to an emphatic 4-0 victory – maintaining their perfect league record in this season’s Champions League.
But what led up to that match has ignited rage in Spain. On Monday evening, Atletico’s players reportedly ended training early after discovering that the showers in both dressing rooms lacked hot water, forcing them to return to their hotel in London’s rainy weather.
Club staff reported the problem to Arsenal around 6:45 pm and although the Gunners insist that it was resolved within 40 minutes, Atletico are adamant that their squad were subsequently left waiting for close to an hour. Arsenal have apologised for the disruption with a temporary plumbing issue said to be the reason for the lapse.
UEFA rules require all stadiums hosting Champions League matches to have showers with hot water, prompting Atletico to file a formal complaint soon after returning to Madrid.
Spanish Media: “Incomprehensible” and “Baffling”
Spanish outlets wasted no time condemning the situation, calling it “inexcusable” given the stature of both the competition and the Emirates Stadium.
Daily newspaper AS wrote: “The Atleti team is baffled why a field of such high quality doesn’t offer the minimum facilities for its players to shower after training. The anger among the Red and White squad was enormous.”
Mundo Deportivo took a slightly different tone, framing the frustration as motivation: “Atletico, angry after not being able to shower before the match because there was no hot water, wants to test itself against Arsenal — and at the Emirates — to see where it stands in its search for a much-needed victory.”
Meanwhile, Marca simply labeled the issue “incomprehensible,” questioning how “a modern venue like the Emirates, and in a tournament like the Champions League, doesn’t have something so basic.”
Not everyone was fuming, though. Speaking to COPE, Atletico president Enrique Cerezo downplayed the incident, joking, “It’s not a big deal — maybe the players are better off for it,” before proudly declaring that such a problem “could never happen at the best stadium in the world,” referring to Atletico’s own Metropolitano.
Author’s Take: A PR Blunder Arsenal Didn’t Need
While Arsenal’s on-field performance silenced any footballing doubts, this episode dents their off-field reputation. A Champions League host venue running into a basic facilities issue sounds minor but carries serious PR implications — especially when opponents can turn it into a talking point.
The complaint for Atletico is more about the principle than the punishment. In top-level football, UEFA scrutinizes even the smallest logistical slip-ups. For Arsenal, the incident reminds them that European football judges not only goals scored but also the professionalism of the environment they provide.
Still, with Arteta’s side flying high and UEFA yet to announce any disciplinary steps, the “cold shower” saga may soon fade — but not before it adds another intriguing subplot to Arsenal’s resurgent European campaign.
