Mikel Arteta bizarrely blamed the Carabao Cup ball for Arsenal's 2-0 loss against Newcastle in the first leg of their semi-final tie.
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Arteta criticised match ball after defeatNewcastle won 2-0 at the EmiratesArsenal next face Man UtdFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Arsenal had a forgetful outing at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday as they went down 2-0 in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash against Newcastle United. Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon were on target for the Magpies, who head into the second leg next month with a healthy two-goal lead.
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The Gunners took 23 shots throughout the 90 minutes but kept only three of them on target. Gabriel Martinelli hit the post in the first half while Kai Havertz squandered the easiest chance of the game as his header from a close range flew over the crossbar. After the game, manager Arteta bizarrely blamed the match ball as he pointed out the difference between the PUMA ball used in the Carabao Cup and the Nike-manufactured ball in the Premier League.
WHAT MIKEL ARTETA SAID
Speaking to reporters at his post-match press conference, the Spanish coach said: "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."
He added when pressed on the Carabao Cup ball: "It's just different, it's just very different to the Premier League ball, and you have to adapt to that because it flies differently. 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."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?
Arteta's men will be back in action on Sunday as they take on Manchester United in an FA Cup third-round clash at home.