THE EFL have responded to Mikel Arteta’s suggestion that the Carabao Cup balls “fly different”.
Arsenal were beaten 2-0 at the Emirates by Newcastle in their semi-final first leg thanks to goals either side of the break from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.
The Gunners had 23 shots and 11 corners that led to just three efforts on target, and also recorded an xG of 3.12 – the highest from a Prem club without scoring in any game this term.
Boss Arteta appeared to suggest post-match that the Carabao Cup Puma ball was a factor in his side’s lack of efficiency in front of goal.
The Spaniard said: “We 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.”
But an EFL spokesperson said: “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 LaLiga 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.”
Puma will also be in the Premier League from the 2025/26 campaign, replacing Nike after 25 years in what has been described as a lucrative deal.
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Managers criticising variations between manufacturers is not new.
The League Cup was still using a Mitre ball in 2017 when Manchester City beat Wolves on penalties in the last 16.
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.
“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.”
Pep Guardiola – who had Arteta as his assistant – said at the time: “It is not acceptable, the ball was unacceptable for a high-level competition.
“It is too light, it moves all over the place, it is not a good ball. It is impossible to score with a ball like that and I can say that because we won, I’m not making excuses.”
Nike’s Prem ball consists of ‘four fused panels’, whereas the Carabao Cup Puma ball has a ‘unique eight-panel configuration’.
It is understood that all clubs competing in the Carabao Cup are provided with the balls to train with ahead of their fixtures.
The official X account of the Carabao Cup also responded to a post which showed Arteta discussing the ball.
The post included a snap of rapper 50 Cent from a viral clip in which he says “why you say f*** me for.”
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.
THE Carabao Cup ball slammed by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be used in the PREMIER LEAGUE next season.
Gunners chief Arteta suggested the “tricky” Puma ball used by the EFL in its flagship competition had been a factor in his side’s shooting woes during the 2-0 semi-final first leg defeat by Newcastle.
Arteta said the Puma balls “fly a lot”, admitting “there’s details that we can do better”.
Pressed further, Arteta added: “It’s just different. It’s very different to a Premier League ball.
“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.”
But Arteta and his players will certainly have to adapt next term as Prem chiefs will switch to the SAME ball for the new season.
The Prem has used Nike balls since 2000 but a contract dispute saw the decision to switch to the German manufacturer from the 2025-26 season in what was described as a “lucrative” deal.
Sun Sport understands that an exact version of the Carabao Cup ball has already been developed and agreed as the new Prem model – despite the complaints by some managers about it this season.
Moving to Puma may, though, help ease the delayed introduction of semi-automated offside technology.
The versions used by Fifa and Uefa have been developed in collaboration with Adidas, while Italy’s Serie A has brought in the technology with a Puma ball.
PGMOL had hoped to introduce a semi-automated system developed by US-based Genius Sports in the autumn but it is now not expected to be unrolled until next term after issues in decision-making accuracy.
Working with Puma specialists, who have already used a similar system, over the coming months should enable a fool-proof version to be ready for the big kick-off in August.
