Mikel Arteta: Arsenal boss says Carabao Cup ball was a factor in his side's wasteful finishing against Newcastle
Arsenal lost 2-0 at home to Newcastle in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final; Arsenal created 3.09 xG from 23 shots but only three were on target; Carabao Cup ball is made by Puma compared to the one used in the Premier League manufactured by Nike
Wednesday 8 January 2025 15:57, UK
Mikel Arteta rued Arsenal's wastefulness in their 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg loss to Newcastle and suggested the ball used in the competition was a contributing factor.
Arsenal missed a succession of chances at the Emirates Stadium as goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon put Newcastle in control of the tie ahead of next month's second leg.
The Gunners had 23 shots worth 3.09 expected goals, but only managed to direct three of them on target, with Gabriel Martinelli striking the post in the first half and Kai Havertz missing their best opportunity in the second period when he sent a free header awkwardly wide from close range.
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A number of other chances flew over the crossbar and 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's scoring struggles in his press conference.
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.
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"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, Arteta added: "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."
Arsenal had no such issues in the previous rounds of the competition, scoring a combined total of 11 goals in their ties against Bolton, Preston and Crystal Palace while using the same ball.
Against Newcastle, though, their wayward finishing contrasted sharply with Newcastle's ruthlessness, with their two goals coming from a total of only seven shots.
Arteta added: "If you look at what both teams produced and the domination of the game, obviously it's not the result that reflects the story of the game, but the reality is that they were super efficient with the chances that they had, and we weren't.
"There are things that we could have done better. We were unlucky in moments. You need a certain luck for the ball to bounce there. You need that intuition as well. And if not, we're going to have to generate more.
"That's the thing that we can do, then the probability will be higher for us to win. But certainly, against this team, to produce what we have produced, looking back at the last six games that I watched, I haven't seen it. But the result says zero-two, unfortunately."
Arsenal head to St James' Park on Wednesday February 5 with a mountain to climb but Arteta has faith that his side can turn the tie around.
"We have to be disappointed as it's another result that we wanted, but that's the reality," he added. "I have full belief. I have seen my team playing against them - I believe we can do it."
Analysis: Isak shows cutting edge Arsenal lack
Sky Sports' Nick Wright at the Emirates Stadium:
Kai Havertz had four shots without scoring. Gabriel Martinelli had three and so did Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes. Arsenal's finishing woes contrasted sharply with the clinical brilliance of Alexander Isak. Both of his shots led to Newcastle goals.
The first was smashed into the net off the bar after Sven Botman had flicked on Martin Dubravka's long free-kick, which was helped into Isak's path by Jacob Murphy. The second forced David Raya to parry the ball to the feet of the grateful Anthony Gordon.
Isak effectively decided this game, as he has so many others this season. The 25-year-old is up to 15 goals in all competitions. Three quarters of them have come in the space of barely a month. His form has been utterly devastating and Arsenal are just his latest victim.
It is hardly surprising they are among his suitors. This was the sixth game this season in which they have failed to score and there have been a further seven in which they have only scored one. How they could use a finisher like Isak. Newcastle are feeling the benefits.
