PEST TRAINING AS MICE HIT THE EMI-RATS!

STAFF at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium have been sent for extra training on pest control after the venue was hit by a mouse infestation, as revealed by

Sportsmail. Workers at the ground — which we can disclose is one of only two Premier League stadiums not to achieve a five-star hygiene rating — have seen experts as part of a wide-ranging attempt to tackle ‘an ongoing issue’. The Gunners, who have increased pestproofing measures at the 60,000-capacity stadium, have been praised by local authority inspectors for making ‘great improvements’ in the area of pest control. However, a number of issues were raised in the latest hygiene report carried out earlier this year. An inspection in late 2016 unearthed ‘extensive evidence of mouse activity’ across ‘all four levels of the stadium’. Officers found mouse droppings in a number of areas and discovered that many staff were oblivious to the issue — with inspectors having to bring out torches to shine a light on the problem. A lack of cleaning was also blamed. Along with the extra pest-control training and increased pest-proofing, Arsenal brought in an external company to carry out an audit. The latest report highlights a failure of the doors to close properly in a central processing area. Inspectors also advise that the club’s caterers should install foot-pedal bins in the kitchens, as chefs are currently using their hands to lift wheelie-bin flaps, resulting in ‘reducing the efficacy of frequent hand washing or, at busy times, leaving the lids open which encourages odours and pests’. Tickets to see matches at the Emirates are among the most expensive in the Premier League, but Arsenal’s home was given a four-star hygiene rating, which makes them the only top-flight club apart from promoted Aston Villa (also four) not to get five stars. The hygiene report adds: ‘There has been a great improvement in the standards of pest control and cleaning since the last primary inspection. I emphasise how important it is for both DNC UK (operators Delaware North) and stadium management to maintain these new measures.’ An Arsenal spokesperson said: ‘We have always taken hygiene matters extremely seriously and have increased our actions to ensure Emirates Stadium exceeds the recommendations made. Increased visits from pest control experts, independent audits, additional staff training and substantial investment in proofing have all been implemented. We continue to look at ways to improve in this area.’