Arsenal suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final. Despite generating 3.09 expected goals (xG) from 23 attempts, the Gunners only managed to hit the target three times. The ball used in the competition, produced by Puma, differs from the Nike-manufactured ball used in the Premier League, a distinction Mikel Arteta highlighted as a possible influence on his team’s wasteful finishing.
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Arteta expressed frustration over missed opportunities at the Emirates Stadium, with Newcastle taking control of the tie through goals by Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon. Arsenal's struggles were evident as Gabriel Martinelli hit the post in the first half, while Kai Havertz squandered the best chance of the second half by heading wide from close range.
Several other attempts flew off target, prompting Arteta to comment on the unfamiliar characteristics of the Carabao Cup ball during the post-match press conference.
Arteta Reflects on Missed Opportunities
When asked how he might address his team’s finishing issues, Arteta said:
"There's not much to do except analyze and offer suggestions for improvement. A lot of our shots went over the bar. This ball behaves differently; it tends to fly more, which we’ve also discussed. There are small adjustments we can make."
Elaborating on the ball’s design, he added:
"It's not the same as the Premier League ball. The grip and flight dynamics are different, and players need to adapt. But there's no going back now. It's about focusing on the next game. That’s the reality of football."
Previous Rounds Show No Signs of Struggle
Arsenal had no trouble scoring in earlier rounds, netting 11 goals against Bolton, Preston, and Crystal Palace with the same Puma ball. However, their misfires against Newcastle stood in stark contrast to their opponents' efficiency. Newcastle managed two goals from just seven shots.
Reflecting on the match, Arteta remarked:
"When you analyze the performance, we dominated the game and created plenty of chances. The result doesn’t tell the full story. But Newcastle were clinical, and we weren’t. Luck also plays a role—sometimes the ball bounces in your favor, sometimes it doesn’t. To overcome this, we need to generate even more opportunities."
Looking Ahead to the Second Leg
Arsenal face a challenging task in the second leg at St James’ Park on February 5, but Arteta remains optimistic about his team’s chances:
"Of course, we’re disappointed, but I believe in this team. Based on our performance, I know we can turn this tie around."
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