Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has pointed to the Carabao Cup game ball as a factor in his team’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United in the first leg of their Carabao Cup clash. Unlike the Premier League’s Nike ball, the Carabao Cup uses a ball manufactured by Puma, which Arteta claims affected his players’ finishing.

“When you touch it, the grip is very different as well, so you have to adapt to that,” Arteta stated during his post-match interview.

Arsenal’s Missed Chances

Despite dominating possession and taking 23 shots with an expected goal (xG) tally of 3.09, Arsenal failed to find the back of the net. Only three of their shots were on target, with notable missed chances:Gabriel Martinelli struck the woodwork in the first half.Kai Havertz squandered a close-range header in the second half, sending it wide.

Goals from Antony Gordon and Alexander Isak handed Newcastle a decisive lead heading into the second leg next month.

Arteta’s Remarks on the Ball

When asked about improving his team’s finishing, Arteta responded, “Nothing, just try and show them and give them tips of what we can do better.” He then turned his attention to the ball, stating:
“It’s tricky; this ball flies a lot. We discussed that as well, so there are details we can do better.”

Doubling down on his concerns, he added:
“It’s just very different from the Premier League ball, and you have to adapt to that because it flies differently. But in the end, that’s gone; there is no way back. It’s about the next game—that’s the reality of our world.”

Praise for Newcastle’s Efficiency

Despite his frustrations, Arteta acknowledged Newcastle’s clinical finishing:
“If you look at what both teams produced and the domination of the game, obviously it’s not the result that reflects the story of the game. But the reality is that they were super efficient with the chances that they had, and we weren’t.”