Mikel Arteta has suggested that Arsenal’s inability to capitalize on clear scoring opportunities during their 2-0 loss to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg was partly due to the distinct characteristics of the competition’s ball.
The Gunners, who trained with the League Cup ball on the eve of the match, struggled to adapt to its unique flight and grip compared to the Premier League ball. Despite registering 23 attempts on goal, Arsenal failed to find the net, with notable misses from Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz.
Arteta praised Newcastle for their clinical efficiency, with goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon proving decisive, but he was critical of his team’s finishing. “Newcastle were super efficient in front of goal, and we were not,” he stated. “We’ll work on showing the players what they can do better, but we missed a lot of chances. These balls are tricky; they fly differently, and there are details we can improve.”
When pressed on the issue with the ball, which is manufactured by Puma instead of Nike like the Premier League ball, Arteta explained: “It’s very different. The flight, the grip, everything feels different, and the players need to adapt to that.”
Arsenal’s hopes of overturning the deficit will hinge on the second leg in February, by which time they hope to have key attacking players back from injuries and illness.
Stopping the In-Form Alexander Isak
A major task for Arsenal in the second leg will be neutralizing Alexander Isak, who played a pivotal role in Newcastle’s victory. Isak not only opened the scoring but also set up Gordon’s goal by forcing a save that led to the rebound.
Anthony Gordon lavished praise on his teammate, calling him the best striker in Europe. “I think so,” Gordon said when asked about Isak’s status. “He’s on fire. Even for my goal, I was just gambling at the back post because I trust him.”
Eddie Howe Acknowledges Newcastle’s Fortunate Defense
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe commended Isak’s performance, describing him as “electric.” However, Howe revealed that Isak had been dealing with a hamstring issue, which required careful management in the second half.
“He was excellent,” Howe said. “His overall game was in a great place. Unfortunately, we had to manage his minutes due to his hamstring, which impacted our performance in the second half.”
Howe admitted Newcastle had moments of luck in defending their lead, praising goalkeeper Martin Dubravka’s critical saves and the team’s resilient defensive efforts. “Martin was outstanding, and the blocked shots and heroic defending in the final minutes were key,” he said.
Dubravka’s Future at Newcastle
Dubravka’s emotional reaction after the game has fueled speculation about a potential move to Saudi Arabia during the January transfer window. However, Howe made it clear he wishes to retain the goalkeeper. “He’s been playing very well, and from my perspective, I don’t want to lose him at all,” Howe asserted.
