Mikel Arteta blames the ball for Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi final first leg on Tuesday night.
In his post match press conference, the Arsenal boss suggested his team must adapt to the “very different” Carabao Cup ball, saying the one used in the competition was a contributing factor why they lost.
Arsenal had an 3.09 xG from 23 shots, but only three were on target, but it was Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon put Newcastle in control going into next month’s second leg,
Arteta referred to the differences between the ball used in the competition, made by Puma, compared to the one used in the Premier League, which is manufactured by Nike, when reflecting on Arsenal’ scoring struggles.
Mikel Arteta on the Carabao Cup ball: “It’s very different to the Premier League ball”. pic.twitter.com/L2LLhgN9zQ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 8, 2025
Mikel Arteta has had his say on the Carabao Cup ball following Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle last night.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/VqjRY9KwCX
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 8, 2025
Asked what he could do to help his players improve their finishing, he said: “Nothing, just try and show them and give them tips of what we can do better.
“I think we kicked a lot of the balls over the bar and it’s tricky that this ball flies a lot. We discussed that as well, so there are details that we can do better.”
Asked again about the ball: “It’s just different, it’s just very different to the 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 have to adapt to that.
“But in the end, that’s gone, there is no way back, it’s about the next game, and that’s our world, the reality of our world.”
Arteta complaining about Newcastle time wasting. The irony is killing me 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/0fb2ZHl2GP
— ➿ (@ReformedN_) January 7, 2025
Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports: “That was the biggest difference [being clinical] in the game. In every other aspect, we were the better team.
“They scored two goals and credit to them as they managed to win the game like this.
“When we missed the chances and conceded the goal it is always tough, but the team reacted.
“We generated a lot of situations, but it is true, they defended the box very well.
“We can do better with our decisions.
“We had a one-v-one chance with the keeper and in the semi-final you have to be clinical.”
On Alexander Isak’s goal: “I have seen the goal and it is something they do – they create the chaos, and it gets to the wrong player and Isak puts it away.”
On the second leg: “We have to be disappointed as it’s another result that we wanted, but that’s the reality. I have full belief. I have seen my team playing against them – I believe we can do it.”
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe speaking to ITV: “Very pleased with the players, it was a tough game for us in many respects. We’ve had players struggling at half-time. Really pleased with how we played.
On Isak: “First half he was electric, I thought he played really well. He scored but I just thought his general game was in a really good place. He was feeling his hamstring a bit at half-time so we had to manage him in the second half and that was a big blow to our performance.
“I think we rode our luck at times and I think Martin [Dubravka] played really well and made some really good saves. I thought the set plays in the main we got the small details right. Our mentality to defend our goal with the blocked shots, the heroic pieces of defending that we saw in the last 20 to 30 minutes, it’s great for us for the future.”
Howe, speaking to Sky Sports: “I think it was an interesting game, we started on the front foot and we tried to take the game to them.
“It was then about our mentality to defend and we did that really well.
“We know what is at stake and the players put their bodies on the line.”
On substitutions: “Alexander [Isak] was feeling a bit stiff in his hamstring. Joe Willock took a knock and Sven Botman was feeling his groin – we were creeping in the second half.
“That’s why I made the substitutions to stay strong in the game.”
On the performance: “I am pleased because this is a tough ground and we have suffered here previously. We are playing with a real confidence and belief and that helps us defend in those dying moments.
“Alex scored a great goal and Anthony scored an important second for us.
“In evolution you are always changing and trying to get the best out of the group.
“We have more capabilities with the ball, with this current team there is so much more to come and we are missing key players today and there’s fatigue.
“We know in the second leg we have our supporters with us, but we still need to do everything right.”
Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon speaking to ITV: “It’s up there. We knew what type of game it would be, they’re dominant at home. It was always going to be a smash-and-grab.
On Isak being best striker in Europe: “I think so. I think everyone is in agreement with that. He’s on fire. Even for my goal. I’m just gambling back post.
“It’s all about attitude. It was unbelievable to a man. I want to mention Dan Burn, he’s been our player of the season for me.
On what changed after Brentford loss: “We weren’t doing it at the start of the season and we weren’t putting work in at the start of the season.
“We don’t have time to celebrating this one. They’re one of the best sides in Europe, it’s only 2-0. We need to stay humble.”
Gordon, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: “Every one to a man was top-level.
“Coming to the place is so hard and they defend really well. It was always going to be a smash-and-grab kind of game for us, but we executed it perfectly.
“We are a team and that’s when we play at our best, when everyone’s on the same page.
“We have to be that ruthless with and without the ball – all the top teams do it.”
On Alexander Isak: “Very good. He is the best in Europe, probably right now, with the form he’s in.
“The best quality he’s got is that he’s so humble.
“He is not scared to pass the ball. He’s very unselfish, and his best ability is his raw ability on the ball.”
On possibly winning the cup: “It would mean the world, but we cannot think about that.
“They can easily flip this fixture if we are not at our best levels.”
Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, speaking to Sky Sports: “I think it comes down to a team thing.
“We have been solid defensively and then we have the quality up front. Jacob [Murphy] assisted me and I tried to be in the right place to finish the attacks.
“We came here with the intention to bring a good result home and we did.
“We have some time to change things, come back and do the same at St. James’ Park.”
Isak speaking to ITV: “It’s massive. it’s a great result. It’s only the first half. If we don’t go through then this has no meaning. It’s a massive win.
On form: “I don’t think it’s too much of an individual thing, it’s more a team thing. We’ve been very consistent to create chances.
On push on Odegaard before goal: “It’s part of the game, we all play on the edge. It’s nothing.
On what’s changed: “It’s difficult to put a finger on but we’ve found out way back to our identity and the basics. It starts with how we defend. the defence and the midfield put their body on the line.”
Newcastle defender Dan Burn, speaking to Sky Sports: “Very proud, it was always going to be like that in the second half.
“To a man everyone defended brilliant.
“To get a result here you need to defend set-pieces, but I thought everyone was brilliant.
“We have had a sticky patch, but we have had a few clean sheets in a row.
“Seeing the way we defended in the second half was brilliant.
“It’s only a job half done – they have nothing to lose coming to St. James’ Park.”
Fans gave their reaction as Mikel Arteta blames the ball for Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi final first leg…
@whiskeyboy83: I’m not jumping on the band wagon of “Arteta out” but he doesn’t help himself coming out with this because it’s no different to every other team playing with the same ball. Accept the defeat and move on
@pbcarter7:
1 both teams used the same ball
2 practice with them prior to playing
@GusM_Rosenberg: It’s the same ball that Newcastle used isn’t it? They didn’t seem to have an issue. 😅
@AndrewGrahamJa1: If I’m an Arsenal fan listening to that I’d be embarrassed.
@CalFerguson: 🤣 worst excuse ever from a professional side. Trained with them since the last game, used them in previous rounds and Newcastle used the same match ball 🤡
@reducedfatjoel: As an Arsenal fan, this is embarrassing to watch. 23 shots and no goals… can’t blame the bloody ball for that!!
@marlysmittas: Absolutely fucking hilarious. Seemed to be in sound working order for us though? 🤷🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️
@YidoScott: Ah, I hope we don’t use the same ball as this lot last night 😂 what a fucking berk
@richardreid04: The bloke has lost it. Blaming the ball is on another level.
@ChrisWPhysio: It’s never their fault when they don’t win a game, there’s always an excuse and this time he’s blaming the football?! Embarrassing
@b767f374e116473: This can’t be for real 😄
@anacondanufc: This bloke just becomes a bigger clown every day
@AH93__: same ball they’ve used to get to this stage of the competition btw
@ktnmath: He’s never blaming the ball for losing last night, is he?! 😭😭😭
@GegenImpressive: Very good manager, but he really needs to stop this verbal drivel. It will get tiring really quick if the results don’t match or explain his silly rethoric
@prettygreen8: Always gracious is Mikel.
@LukeRobbo10: Hahahahah it’s the balls fault 😂😂😂 cry more you cretin
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