Mikel Arteta has suggested Arsenal’s failure to adapt to the Carabao Cup ball was a factor in Tuesday’s 2-0 semifinal, first leg defeat to Newcastle United.
Goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon put Eddie Howe’s side in a commanding position ahead of the return match on Feb. 5.
The Gunners wasted a catalogue of chances and ended with an expected goals figure of 3.12 — the highest number by a Premier League team in any game without scoring this season.
THE BALL
Asked what he could do to avoid the missed chances becoming a psychological problem, Arteta referenced the change in ball as per the competition regulations with a Puma offering used instead of the regular Nike ball.
“Just try and show them, give them tips of what we can do better,” Areta said. “I think we kicked a lot of the balls over the bar and it is tricky: this ball flies a lot. We discuss that as well so there are details we can do better. But at the end, that’s gone. This is no way back, it is about the next game. That is our world.”
Pushed on what the issue was with the ball, Arteta continued: “It is just different, very different to the Premier League ball and you have to adapt to that because it flies differently. When you touch it, the grip is very different as well and you have to adapt.”
Arteta was part of Manchester City’s coaching staff when Pep Guardiola complained about the ball after a fourth-round tie in October 2017.
Guardiola claimed “to score with that ball is a miracle” of the Mitre ball after beating Wolves 4-1 in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw.
The EFL later produced a statement which read: “The Mitre ball used in this season’s Carabao Cup is of exactly the same technical specification as the balls used in the Sky Bet EFL and Checkatrade Trophy, all of which are tested in accordance with the FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs and meet the FIFA Quality Pro standard.
“All balls used in the professional game are required to meet this standard.”
THE MATCH
Alexander Isak scored his 50th goal for Newcastle United as Eddie Howe’s side took a huge step towards the Carabao Cup final with a 2-0 victory at Arsenal on Tuesday.
Isak struck shortly before halftime in the first leg of the semifinal at a chilly Emirates Stadium and then had a big role in Newcastle’s second scored by Anthony Gordon after the break.
Arsenal were left to rue their failure to convert several good chances with Gabriel Martinelli denied by the woodwork in the first half and Kai Havertz missing a golden opportunity.
In-form Newcastle, who have not won a major trophy since 1955, will now be clear favourites to complete the job in the second leg on Tyneside next month.
Tottenham Hotspur host holders Liverpool in the first leg of the other semifinal on Wednesday.
Arsenal had been unbeaten in their previous 13 games in all competitions but were not at their best against a clinical Newcastle side who have taken a liking to north London.
Three days ago they won 2-1 at Tottenham to move closer to the Premier League’s top four and they returned to send the travelling Toon Army back up north in high spirits.
Isak has been virtually unstoppable of late and he has now scored 10 goals in his last nine appearances for the club.
The Swede lofted one early half-chance over the crossbar but showed how lethal he is after 37 minutes when a long ball into the area fell into his path and he fired the ball high past David Raya into the roof of the net.
Arsenal had threatened with Martinelli curling a shot against the post from the edge of the area and Newcastle were forced into some desperate defending in one goalmouth scramble.
Jurriën Timber also headed over the crossbar from close range for the hosts and Havertz was even more culpable after the break when he somehow failed to connect with a header with the goal gaping.
By that time, Newcastle were 2-0 ahead thanks to a tap-in by Gordon in the 50th minute. Jacob Murphy played a great pass to Isak whose first-time shot was only parried by Raya for Gordon to sweep in the rebound.
Arsenal piled on the pressure late on to try and reduce the deficit but Newcastle manned the barricades and will take a healthy lead back to St James’ Park.
