Mikel Arteta blames ball for Arsenal's defeat to Newcastle in Carabao Cup
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Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal can turn the tie around after claiming the ball was partly to blame for their defeat. Newcastle striker Alexander Isak scored and played a part in Anthony Gordon’s goal to give the Toon Army a huge advantage in the two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final. But Arteta insisted afterwards the different Puma match ball in the competition played a part because it is different to what they are used to in the Premier League.
Gunners boss Arteta said: “We also kicked a lot of balls over the bar, and it's tricky that these balls fly a lot so there’s details that we can do better. It’s very different to a Premier League ball, and you have to adapt to that because it flies different, when you touch it the grip is very different as well so you adapt to that.
“It’s just half-time. 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. If you look at what both teams produced and the dominance it's not the result that reflects the story of the game but the reality is they were super efficient with the chances they had and we weren’t.”.
Isak scored his 50th goal for Newcastle since joining the club in August 2022 and his partner Gordon claimed: “I don't think there's a better centre forward in Europe at the moment.” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is chasing the club’s first major trophy in 56 years and he hailed his team’s performance and also that of danger man Isak.
