January 9 – After losing the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals 2-0 to Newcastle United, Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta came up with the unusual excuse that the match balls may have been the cause for his team’s loss.
In the post-match interview, Arteta was asked about the wasted goalscoring opportunities and whether it was becoming a psychological problem he replied: “Nothing, just try and show them, give them tips of what we can do better,” he 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.”
The ball used in the English Football League Cup (EFL) is supplied by Puma as opposed to Nike who provide match balls in the Premier League. When Arteta was pushed for more details on his thoughts of the ball he said: “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.”
As excuses go this is a new one as clubs are given balls to train with before EFL Cup fixtures.
The EFL has responded to Arteta’s criticism but not directly issuing a statement saying, “As is required throughout the professional game, the Puma ball used in this 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 as well as 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.”
With the second leg of the semi-final scheduled for February 5 at St. James’ Park, Arteta and Arsenal will have plenty of time to practice with the ball in an attempt to overturn the 2-0 deficit.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1736405483labto1736405483ofdlr1736405483owedi1736405483sni@o1736405483fni1736405483
