EFL defends Carabao Cup ball after Mikel Arteta’s complaint

The EFL has defended the ball used in Carabao Cup matches after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta suggested the variation in flight may have been a factor in Tuesday’s semi-final first-leg defeat to Newcastle United.

Arsenal were beaten 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium through goals from away goals Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon on a night where Arsenal missed a host of chances.

They finished with an expected goals ratio of 3.12 – the highest for a Premier League team in any game where they did not score this season.

Asked what he could do to avoid the wasted opportunities becoming a psychological problem, Arteta referred to the change in ball – as per competition rules with a Puma offering used instead of the regular Nike ball seen in the Premier League.

“Nothing, just try to show them, give them tips on what we can do better,” he said. “I think we kicked a lot of the balls over the crossbar and it’s difficult: this ball flies a lot.

“We discuss it as well, so there are details we can do better. But at the end of the day, it’s gone. This is no turning back, it’s about the next game. This is our world.”

Later pressed on what the specific problem with the ball was, Arteta continued: “It’s just different, very different to the Premier League ball and you have to adapt to it because it flies differently. When you touch it, the grip is very different too and you have to adapt.”

However, the EFL released a statement to ESPN on Wednesday claiming they had not received a single complaint prior to Arteta’s comments.

It read: “As required throughout the professional game, the PUMA ball used in this season’s Carabao Cup and in the EFL competition from 2021-22 has been tested in accordance with the FIFA Quality Program for Footballs and meets the FIFA Quality Pro standard.

“In addition to the Carabao Cup, the same ball has been used successfully in other major European leagues, including both Serie A and LaLiga and our three divisions in the EFL.

“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.”

Arteta was part of Manchester City’s coaching staff when Pep Guardiola complained about the ball following the fourth-round tie in October 2017.

Guardiola claimed “scoring with that ball is a miracle,” referring to the Miter ball, after beating Wolves 4-1 in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw. The EFL subsequently released a statement defending the ball.