Arsenal's hopes of reaching the Carabao Cup final took a significant blow in a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United, with manager Mikel Arteta raising eyebrows by highlighting the competition's ball as a factor in his team's poor shooting display.
The Gunners dominated the shot count with 23 attempts but managed to put just three on target in a frustrating evening at St. James' Park. Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon found the net for the hosts, leaving Arsenal with a mountain to climb in the return leg.
In his post-match comments, Arteta drew attention to the Puma balls used in the Carabao Cup, which differ from the Nike equipment used in Premier League matches. "We kicked a lot of balls over the bar, and it's tricky that these balls fly a lot," Arteta explained. "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."
The Spanish manager's comments come despite Arsenal's impressive scoring record in previous rounds of the competition this season, including wins against Bolton (5-1), Preston (3-0), and Crystal Palace (3-2). Statistical analysis shows the team's shooting accuracy has remained relatively consistent across all competitions:
- Carabao Cup: 53% shots on target (27/51 before Tuesday)
- Premier League: 52% shots on target (102/197)
- Champions League: 58% shots on target (33/57)
Notable misses on the night included Gabriel Martinelli striking the woodwork and Kai Havertz failing to convert what appeared to be a straightforward header opportunity.
Despite the setback, Arteta maintains optimism about his team's chances in the second leg. "It's just half-time," he asserted. "When I see the team play, and how we deal with a lot of situations and play against a very good team, I must say I have full belief that we can go out there and do it."
