Mikel Arteta has suggested that the ball may have contributed to Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-final at the Emirates on Tuesday.
The 42-year-old manager expressed disappointment with the result, which leaves Arsenal in a challenging position ahead of the second leg at St James’ Park on February 5.
Newcastle took the lead through Alexander Isak in the 37th minute, with Anthony Gordon doubling the advantage in the 51st minute, much to the delight of the visiting fans. Despite Arsenal managing 23 shots, only three were on target, with Gabriel Martinelli hitting the post and both William Saliba and Kai Havertz missing clear chances.
In his post-match press conference, Arteta commented on the Carabao Cup ball, describing it as “tricky” and hinting it may have affected Arsenal’s finishing.
“We kicked a lot of balls over the bar, and these balls fly a lot, so there are details we can improve,” he said. “But that’s done now—there’s no going back. It’s about focusing on the next game. We’re only halfway through, and I have full belief we can turn it around.”
The ball used in the Carabao Cup, made by Puma, differs from the Nike ball used in the Premier League. Arteta elaborated, saying, “It’s very different from a Premier League ball. It flies differently, and the grip feels different, so you have to adapt.”
Arsenal now turn their attention to Sunday’s FA Cup third-round match against Manchester United at the Emirates, where they will contend with yet another ball—the Mitre Ultimax Pro. Arteta is likely to prioritize getting his players accustomed to it in preparation for the match.