Arteta blames Carabao Cup ball for Arsenal's costly semi-final defeat

Mikel Arteta has voiced his displeasure with the ball used in Arsenal's recent Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle United. The Arsenal manager claimed the ball was "very different to a Premier League ball," suggesting it affected his team's performance.

Arteta's comments come as a surprise, given that Arsenal had scored an impressive 11 goals in their previous three Carabao Cup matches using the same type of ball.

The ball in question is likely the Mitre Delta, which is the official ball of the Carabao Cup and differs from the Nike Flight used in Premier League matches. While the Mitre Delta meets all FIFA Quality Pro standards, it does have different flight characteristics compared to the Premier League ball.

Arteta's criticism raises questions about the consistency of equipment across different competitions and how it might impact team performance. Despite his concerns, it's worth noting that Arsenal had previously adapted well to the ball in earlier rounds of the competition.

The manager's comments may be seen as an attempt to explain his team's unexpected possible exit from a tournament where they had shown strong form. The Gunners will have the chance to turn the tie around at St James' Park on 5 February.

 

January 8, 2025