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, Arsenal‘s boss 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 Puma from the 2025-26 season in what was described as a “lucrative” deal.
SunSport 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.
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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.
On the ball, an EFL spokesman 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.”
ARSENAL have a mountain to climb to reach the Carabao Cup final after a shock 2-0 first-leg defeat to Newcastle.
Here SunSport’s Jordan Davies rates every Arsenal player on a disappointing night at the Emirates…
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
The academy product was 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
Missed 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.
