During Arsenal’s 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final loss to Newcastle at the Emirates on Tuesday evening, Mikel Arteta caught attention for an unusual act captured on camera.
Despite taking 23 shots, Arsenal failed to score, while Newcastle capitalized with Alexander Isak’s opener in the 37th minute, followed by Anthony Gordon’s second in the 51st. This result gives the Magpies an edge heading into the second leg at St James’ Park next month.
Arteta, 42, suggested in his post-match press conference that the match ball may have contributed to Arsenal’s struggles in front of goal. “We kicked a lot of balls over the bar, and these balls tend to fly a lot—it’s tricky. There are details we need to improve,” he explained. When pressed further, he added, “It’s just different. It’s very different from a Premier League ball, and you have to adapt because it flies differently.”
Footage later emerged of Arteta checking his watch while Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka delayed taking goal kicks, sparking reactions on social media.
One fan remarked: “Arteta timing Dubravka’s goal kicks when his team has 9 yellow cards for time-wasting this season.”
Another commented: “Lost the plot as the pressure mounts with every game further away from a trophy.”
A third criticized: “He was on the verge of tears in his Sky post-match interview because he had no excuses. Then to complain about the ball in the official presser is laughable. The man is a second-rate coach.”
A fourth quipped: “Bro is in his time-keeping phase,” while a fifth added: “What goes around comes around.”
Next, Arsenal will face Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United in the FA Cup third round at the Emirates on Sunday, where Arteta will hope to end their two-game winless streak following a draw against Brighton and the defeat to Newcastle.
Leave a Reply