Arsenal reportedly had a training session invaded by Atletico Madrid fans today, who shouted messages of encouragement towards Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners were training at Colegio Valdeluz, a school in Madrid, before tonight’s massive Champions League game at the Bernabeu.
Arsenal face Real Madrid in the Spanish capital for the second leg of their quarter-final showdown at 8pm BST, heading into the clash with a 3-0 lead.
Ahead of the match, Arsenal’s players took part in a training session, with the north Londoners spotted by a number of Atletico Madrid supporters.
According to Relevo, the Atletico Madrid fans ‘approached’ Arsenal’s team coach ‘while inside’ the grounds of the school.
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The Spanish outlet described the incident as ‘a final boost of motivation before a night full of football’.
‘Arteta, go for them, do it for Atlético!’ the fans shouted at Arsenal’s manager, as he stepped off the coach when the team arrived for training.
Why do Atletico Madrid fans want Arsenal to win?
Atletico Madrid supporters are keen for Arsenal to eliminate Real Madrid in the Champions League tonight.
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid – two of the biggest clubs in Spain – are arch rivals and regularly fight for bragging rights in the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid knocked out Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League this season, which has increased the latter’s support for Arsenal.
Atletico Madrid lost on penalties to Real Madrid in incredibly controversial scenes after Julian Alvarez was judged to have kicked the ball twice when taking his spot kick, with his goal in the shootout dramatically ruled out.
That left Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone absolutely furious, with the Argentine adamant that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) made the wrong decision.
More controversy then followed after Real Madrid won the match on penalties.
Real Madrid stars Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe and Dani Ceballos were placed under investigation for their respective celebrations.
Rudiger performed an alleged throat-slitting gesture towards Atletico Madrid’s fans while viral social media videos showed Mbappe grabbing his crotch towards supporters.
After a probe from UEFA, Rudiger and Mbappe were hit with suspended one-game bans for ‘violating the basic rules of decent conduct’, although it should be noted that they are subject to a one-year probationary period.
Ceballos avoided a ban but was hit with a fine while Vinicius Jr was not punished.