'I think we...' Mikel Arteta strangely blames the ball after Arsenal's defeat at the Carabao cup

Mikel Arteta strangely blamed the ball following Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie. 

Despite a challenging match at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, where Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon scored for the Magpies, Arteta emphasized the importance of adapting to the game's circumstances. As Arsenal heads into the second leg next month, they'll look to regroup and stage a solid comeback.

The Gunners registered 23 shots during the match, yet only three successfully hit the target. Gabriel Martinelli struck the post in the first half, while Kai Havertz wasted the clearest opportunity of the match, his header from close range soaring over the crossbar. Following the game, manager Arteta unexpectedly attributed the issues to the match ball, highlighting the contrast between the PUMA ball used in the Carabao Cup and the Nike-manufactured ball used in the Premier League.

Arteta's take on the ball used for the fixture 

During his post-match press conference, the Spanish coach emphasized the importance of improving their finishing, noting that several shots went over the bar. He acknowledged that the team has been discussing the challenges posed by the ball's flight and expressed optimism about addressing these details. He believes there are several areas where they can enhance their performance moving forward.

"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." Arteta said.

"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." Arteta added.

Arteta's men are set to return to the pitch on Sunday, confidently facing off against Manchester United in a crucial FA Cup third-round clash at home.