'It's tricky, it flies differently' - Mikel Arteta says ball change a factor in Arsenal's defeat to Newcastle

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Was a change of ball partly to blame for Arsenal's first-leg semi-final defeat to Newcastle in the Carabo Cup? Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the Puma balls are "very different to a Premier League ball" after his side failed to take several chances in a 2-0 loss. The Gunners had netted 11 goals in three previous Carabao Cup games this season but couldn't find the net against Newcastle.

Arteta suggests errant finishing down to 'tricky' ball - 'Flies a lot'

Video credit: SNTV

Mikel Arteta has "full belief" his Arsenal side can reach the Carabao Cup final, but says they need to "adapt" to the "tricky" ball used in the competition to do so.

The Gunners have work to do after losing the first leg of their semi-final 2-0 at home against Newcastle.

Arsenal had 23 shots to Newcastle’s seven and finished with an xG of 3.12.

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Their best opportunity fell to Kai Havertz who headed wide from close range.

Asked about the missed chances, Arteta suggested the change of ball from Nike, which is used in the Premier League, to Puma played a part.

"We kicked a lot of balls over the bar, and it’s tricky that these balls fly a lot," said the Arsenal boss.

"It’s very different to a 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, so you have to adapt to that."

The EFL responded to Arteta's comments on Wednesday, claiming "all clubs play with the same ball".

The statement added: "As is required throughout the professional game, the Puma ball used in this season’s Carabao Cup and in EFL competition since 2021/22 is tested in accordance with the Fifa Quality Programme for Footballs, and meets the Fifa Quality Pro standard.

"In addition to the Carabao Cup, the same ball has been successfully used in other major European leagues, including both Serie A and La Liga 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 fixtures which have taken place in this season’s Carabao Cup."

Arsenal had scored 11 goals in three previous Carabao Cup games this season.

Arteta added: "It’s not a 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.

"But at the end that's gone - there's no way back, it's about the next game and that's our world, the reality is our world."

Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon netted for Newcastle as they put themselves in a strong position to reach the final.

Although Arsenal must now score at least twice in the return leg, Arteta thinks they can turn the tie around.

"It's just half-time," he said. "When I see the team play, and how we deal with a lot of situations and play against a very good team, I must say I have full belief that we can go out there and do it.

"There are things that we could have done better. We were unlucky in moments. You need a certain luck for the ball to bounce there. You need that intuition as well. And if not, we're going to have to generate more.

"That's the thing that we can do, then the probability will be higher for us to win. But certainly, against this team, to produce what we have produced, looking back at the last six games that I watched, I haven't seen it. But the result says zero-two, unfortunately."

Arsenal go to St James' Park for the second leg on Wednesday, February 5.

Liverpool and Tottenham play the first leg of their semi-final on Wednesday evening.

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