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Atletico Madrid are already angry at Arsenal and the Champions League clash hasn’t even kicked off

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Arsenal host Atletico Madrid at the Emirates on Tuesday night, and tensions have already flared before the Champions League clash.

The Gunners will be looking to continue their fine form in the European competition, after beating Athletic Club and Olympiacos in their first two fixtures of the League Phase.

Meanwhile, Atletico were defeated by Liverpool at Anfield in their first match, before thrashing Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 at the Metropolitano last time out.

Mikel Arteta heaped praise on Diego Simeone in his press conference on Monday, although the early indications are that this game may be far from civil.

Diego Simeone looking on during an Atletico de Madrid game
Photo by Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Atletico Madrid had no hot water for their training session at the Emirates

Arsenal have only played Atletico twice in their history.

Both of these games came as part of one tie – a Europa League semi-final in 2017/18, Arsene Wenger’s final season in North London.

Thus, there is little bad blood between the two clubs that will make Tuesday night’s game a feisty affair, although something that’s happened in the build-up may change this.

According to Spanish journalist Pedro Fullana, the Atletico squad arrived in N5 on Monday and trained at the Emirates on Monday evening.

However, ‘monumental anger’ was left in Diego Simeone’s camp amongst the playing staff, as the stadium in Holloway supplied them with no hot water for showers following their session.

Simeone’s ensemble rushed to the team bus, sweating, so that they could swiftly return to their hotel to refresh.

Atletico supposedly informed stadium staff of this issue, but no solution was provided.

Arsenal FC v Atletico Madrid - UEFA Europa League Semi Final Leg One
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid could be a tense game

Atletico have built an identity that mirrors their coach’s intense character.

Simeone has been known to allow his temper to boil over, and this often feeds into how his players act on the pitch.

The last time the Argentine came to the Emirates, he was sent to the stands in the first half by the referee, while Croatian full-back Sime Vrsaljko was given a red card inside the opening ten minutes.

While Arsenal’s discipline has improved in the last couple of seasons, they’re still known to occasionally engage in ill-tempered acts.

All of this could culminate in the game becoming somewhat rowdy at the Emirates on Tuesday night, particularly if the Atletico players are still frustrated by their cold showers on Monday.