ARSENAL boss Renee Slegers admitted the conditions played their part after former Gunners striker Ian Wright branded the pitch a “f****** disgrace” during their 2-0 Champions League defeat at Real Madrid.

A goal in each half from Linda Caicedo and Athenea del Castillo condemned Arsenal to a first-leg loss at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium, the home of Real’s reserves, and left them with plenty of work to do in the return fixture next week in north London.

Heavy rain in the Spanish capital had left the playing surface resembling a mudbath and Wright posted an angry video on Instagram, saying: “This is a f****** disgrace the pitches these girls have to play on.”