Atletico Madrid have filed a formal complaint with UEFA after experiencing unexpected and “anomalous” conditions at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on Monday night including a lack of hot water in the dressing rooms.

Diego Simeone’s side arrived in north London for their final training session ahead 21:00 pm to night’s crucial Champions League fixture. However, preparations were disrupted when they discovered the away dressing room had no hot water, preventing players from showering post-session and forcing them to return to their hotel earlier than planned.

The training began at 6:45pm and ended around 7:15pm, by which point the issue had still not been resolved. According to reports from Marca, Atletico immediately alerted Arsenal officials, but the problem remained unresolved until 7:25pm just after the squad had departed.

Atletico staff were reportedly “baffled” by the situation, particularly at a venue regarded as one of the most modern and well-equipped stadiums in Europe. Plumbing issues had apparently affected both the home and away changing rooms, according to Football.London.

UEFA were informed to ensure the matter was officially noted ahead of the high-profile Group Stage encounter. The incident marks an unusual flashpoint between two elite clubs and adds an unexpected layer of tension to the tie.

Arsenal have since acknowledged the mishap and assured all facilities would be fully functional for Tuesday’s match. Despite the disruption, Mikel Arteta was complimentary of Simeone’s legacy at Atletico, calling his 14-year reign “incredible” and praising the identity and fighting spirit he has instilled in the club.

The fixture is crucial for both teams’ Champions League progression. Arsenal tops the group with a perfect six points from two matches, while Atletico sits on three, having lost to Liverpool at Anfield before bouncing back with a thumping win over Frankfurt.