MIKEL ARTETA has bizarrely blamed the BALL for Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle.
The Gunners suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at the Emirates in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
Aleksander Isak and Anthony Gordon scored goals to put the Magpies in a comfortable position ahead of the reverse fixture.
Arsenal were unable to find a response despite having 23 shots during the match.
Arteta’s side were only able to hit the target with three shots which was one less than Newcastle despite having 16 more efforts.
After the game, he appeared to point to the ball as one of the reasons his side were unable to score.
The ball used for the Carabao Cup is made by Puma instead of Nike, which provides the official ball for the Premier League.
One of the big differences between the two is the Puma one is made of up 12 panels while the Prem version is made of only four.
But Arteta has insisted that the differences led to his side not being able to hit the target as well as the fly different.
He 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.
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“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.
“It’s just different. 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.”
Puma has been the ball provider for the Carabao Cup and EFL since the start of the 2021/22 season.
The Gunners appeared to have no issues scoring with the ball in previous rounds of the tournament.
The club had scored 11 goals in three matches against Bolton, Preston North End and Crystal Palace on their run to the semi-finals.
Fans reacted to Arteta’s comments on social media as they were left bemused.
One posted: “He will be shocked when he learns Newcastle also used the ball.”
A second commented: “Unless Arsenal were playing with a different ball than Newcastle the ball doesn’t matter.”
A third wrote: “This guy is now blaming the ball.”
A fourth said: “Please tell me he was joking?”
Another added: “He’s becoming pathetic.”
Arsenal will look to overturn the two-goal deficit on February 5 in the second leg at St James’ Park.
Meanwhile, Arsenal fans were left convinced that Isak’s opener should not have counted.
They spotted a push from the forward on Martin Odegaard moments before hitting the net.
More fans were left stunned when Gordon scored his goal as he pulled off a Thierry Henry-inspired celebration in North London.
Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was left in tears at full-time as he appeared to say farewell ahead of a move to Saudi Arabia.
DAVID RAYA – 6/10
Looked nervy with ball at feet at times but could do nothing to stop Alexander Isak’s brilliant close-range finish.
Unlucky to see his palmed save tapped in by Anthony Gordon.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 8
Very impressive again. Turned out of danger well at both ends of the pitch. So calm under pressure.
GABRIEL – 6
Gave Isak far too much space to manoeuvre a shot in the box before the Toon’s second. Wasteful and ineffective from corners.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 6
Had an early effort blocked near the line by Dan Burn. Was dealing with Isak well until losing a header to Sven Botman that saw the Toon striker score.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 5
Miised an absolute sitter from a yard out from a corner. Was then caught sleeping just after the break to allow Gordon to double Newcastle’s lead.
THOMAS PARTEY – 6
Linked defence and attack fairly well without ever really doing anything spectacular.
DECLAN RICE – 6
Plays Jacob Murphy onside from a flicked on free-kick that leads to Newcastle taking the lead. Took more responsibility in the second half on the ball.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7
Heavily man-marked by Joelinton but looked back to his very best after a spate of illness.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 8
Much more direct in his running. Unlucky not to open the scoring with his driven shot hitting the post after a half-way line sprint.
Continued to be positive in his play – just lacked the finishing touch.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6
Sneakily got away with dragging Isak down to stop the Swede joining a Newcastle counter in the first half and a good first-time pass to set Martinelli away. Those were his only highlights.
KAI HAVERTZ – 5
May just be back from a sickness bug, but the big German did very little, apart from somehow fluffing a header wide unmarked from six yards
SUBS:
JORGINHO (PARTEY, 59) – 7
Some nice passes into dangerous areas and sprayed the ball about with conviction.
GABRIEL JESUS (TROSSARD, 59) – 6
Lively and sharp without every really testing Newcastle’s back four or goal.]
OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO (LEWIS-SKELLY, 77) – 5
Booked within a minute of coming on for a rash challenge on Joelinton.
