Arsenal deal with mouse infestation after damning hygiene report reveals 'extensive' evidence of droppings in VIP box kitchens

  • Hygiene inspectors forced Arsenal to deal with an Emirates mouse infestation
  • Council inspectors found evidence of 'mouse activity' throughout the stadium
  • Visible droppings were seen in the The Diamond Club Kitchen, Cox Kitchen 7, The Woolwich Bar and elsewhere across all four levels
  • The club say they have implemented measure to deal with the rodent concerns 

Officials at the Emirates Stadium have had to deal with a mice infestation.

The alert was triggered when council hygiene inspectors last paid a visit to Arsenal’s home and unearthed ‘extensive evidence of mouse activity’ across ‘all four levels of the stadium’.

Officers found mouse droppings in a variety of places including under and behind ovens, under pipework in pot wash areas and under shelving units. They discovered that many staff were oblivious to the issue – and inspectors had to bring out torches to highlight the problem to them. 


Officials at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium have had to deal with an 'extensive' mouse infestation

Officials at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium have had to deal with an 'extensive' mouse infestation

Droppings were found in The Diamond Club (pictured), Cox Kitchen 7 and Woolwich Bar

Droppings were found in The Diamond Club (pictured), Cox Kitchen 7 and Woolwich Bar

The Gunners say they are confident they have dealt with the issue after implementing a series of measures to tackle it. They say they are continuing to work with external companies to ensure they are ‘taking the right actions moving forward’. 

A council report, seen by Sportsmail, discloses that droppings were found in The Diamond Club Kitchen, Cox Kitchen 7, The Woolwich Bar and elsewhere. 

It adds that there were ‘pest proofing issues’ in several areas they inspected and, in a damning verdict, adds that they are confident that they would also be present in areas not examined. 

The document also slates the club and the stadium management company for not communicating with each other properly over the issue, something they brand ‘disappointing’. 

The alert was triggered when council hygiene inspectors last paid a visit to Arsenal's home

The alert was triggered when council hygiene inspectors last paid a visit to Arsenal's home

It criticises a lack of cleaning, telling the club that all visible droppings and food debris should be removed, and adds that staff told them they had seen signs of activity elsewhere. 

The report, sent to the Premier League club late last year, ends by making a number of orders. Arsenal are told they ‘must’ check for mouse activity every time they open and close, provide torches for staff so they can check under equipment and improve communication with the stadium’s management company. 

They also tell the club that they have to implement extra measures ‘to control rodent activity’ and look into ‘include improved use of authorised rodenticide treatment’. 

They add that improvement in mouse proofing and the removal of potential access to food and water for the pests is needed. 

The Gunners moved to the Emirates from Highbury in 2006. Their new home’s proximity to the East Coast Main Line is thought to have contributed towards the problem.

Arsenal moved to the Emirates, which is near the East Coast Main Line, in 2006

Arsenal moved to the Emirates, which is near the East Coast Main Line, in 2006

An Arsenal spokesman said: ‘The health, safety and security of our fans is always our first priority and we were therefore very disappointed to learn of these deficiencies in October 2016. Upon receiving the report, we immediately implemented a series of measures to address the areas of concern. 

'We are confident in the steps we have taken in the last year and continue to work with external experts to ensure that we are taking the right actions moving forward.’ 

Arsenal are not the first Premier League side to experience issues with rodents at their stadium. in 2015, Sportsmail revealed that Manchester United were dealing with a mice infestation at Old Trafford. 

The club were forced to bring in pest-control contractors to sort out problems in the North and South stands while it emerged rodents had even been spotted in staff offices. 

The problem was thought to be linked to the famous venue’s canalside location.  

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