Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle: Mikel Arteta says Carabao Cup footballs are ‘tricky’

On By Littum

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta still believes his side can reach the Carabao Cup final – but says his players must first master the “tricky” ball used in the competition.

The Gunners were beaten 2-0 by Newcastle in Tuesday’s semi-final first leg after goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.

Arsenal had 23 shots during the game but only three were on target as Gabriel Martinelli hit the post and Kai Havertz headed a simple chance wide.

When asked about the missed chances in his post-match press conference, Arteta said he would not tell his players to change anything, but did mention the impact the ball had.

“We kicked a lot of balls over the bar and it’s difficult for those balls to fly a lot, so there are details that we can do better,” he said.

“But eventually it’s gone – there’s no going back, it’s about the next game and that’s our world, reality is our world.

“It’s just the half. Seeing the team play and how we handle a lot of situations and playing against a very good team, I have to say I have full faith that we can go out there and do it.”

Prior to the defeat to Newcastle, the Gunners had scored 11 goals in three EFL Cup games so far this season.

The ball in the competition is made by Puma, while the ball used in the Premier League is made by Nike.

Clubs are given balls to train with before EFL Cup matches.

In a statement, the EFL said the balls meet world governing body Fifa’s highest standards and are used successfully in other major European leagues, including Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga.

“All clubs play with the same ball and we have received no further comments of this nature following any of the previous 88 matches that have taken place in this season’s Carabao Cup,” it added.

Asked to elaborate on the ball, Arteta added: “It’s just different.

“It is very different to a Premier League ball and you have to adapt to it because it flies differently.

“When you touch it, the grip is also very different, so you adjust to that.”