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EFL fires back at Mikel Arteta over perplexing criticism of Carabao Cup match ball following Arsenal's damaging semi-final first leg defeat to Newcastle

FA Cup

Arsenal

Manchester United

Newcastle

Bromley

Arsenal suffered a rare home defeat at Emirates Stadium, where goals from <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/arsenal-player-ratings-newcastle-alexander-isak-mikel-arteta/blt1e54845ed89bfcc1" target="_blank">Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon </a>secured Newcastle’s advantage in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semifinal on Tuesday. Despite dominating much of the game, Arsenal failed to convert numerous opportunities, recording an expected goals (xG) tally of 3.12—the highest for any Premier League side in a match where they failed to score this season.

WHAT HAPPENED?

When Arteta was asked how Arsenal could address their missed chances, he diverted <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/official-carabao-cup-account-uses-50-cent-meme-troll-mikel-arteta-hilarious-response-arsenal-manager-criticism-match-ball/blt836e587fbbbba106#cs7959bdc440da5fee" target="_blank">attention to the Puma ball </a>used in Carabao Cup matches, which differs from the Nike ball typically used in Premier League games. "I think we kicked a lot of the balls over the bar and it is tricky: this ball flies a lot," he said. "We discuss that as well so there are details we can do better. But in the end, that's gone. This is no way back, it is about the next game. That is our world. It is just different, 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 and you have to adapt."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Arteta’s remarks prompted a swift and robust rebuttal from the EFL. In a statement shared with <a href="https://www.espn.in/football/story/_/id/43334273/efl-defend-carabao-cup-ball-mikel-arteta-complaint" target="_blank">ESPN</a> on Wednesday, the league emphasized that the Puma ball adheres to rigorous international standards and is widely used across Europe without issue. It read: "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."

WHAT THE EFL SAID

Pep Guardiola had also earlier complained about the Carabao Cup match ball back in 2017 after Manchester City emerged triumphant over Wolves in a penalty shoot-out. However, back then the Mitre ball was being used instead of the current Puma one.

DID YOU KNOW?

Arsenal will look to bounce back in a crucial FA Cup third-round tie against Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on Sunday before turning their attention back to the Premier League where they are set to lock horns against Tottenham in a north London on January 15.

WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

EFL fires back at Mikel Arteta over perplexing criticism of Carabao Cup match ball following Arsenal's damaging semi-final first leg defeat to Newcastle | Goal.com English Oman

EFL has fired back at Mikel Arteta with a strong-worded statement after a perplexing criticism of the Carabao Cup match ball by the Arsenal manager.

EFL fires back at Mikel Arteta over perplexing criticism of Carabao Cup match ball following Arsenal&apos;s damaging semi-final first leg defeat to Newcastle