Wed Jan 08 07:54:00 UTC 2025: ## Arsenal’s Carabao Cup Hopes Hinging on Ball-Related Woes, Arteta Says
**London, England** – Arsenal faces an uphill battle in the Carabao Cup semi-final after a 2-0 first-leg defeat to Newcastle United. While the Gunners dominated possession and created numerous high-quality chances (with an expected goals figure of 3.12), they failed to find the back of the net, leaving them with a significant deficit heading into the second leg.
Manager Mikel Arteta attributed some of the team’s struggles to the unfamiliar Puma ball used in the Carabao Cup, citing its different flight and grip compared to the standard Nike ball used in the Premier League. He highlighted numerous shots going over the bar as evidence of the ball’s impact, echoing a similar complaint made by Pep Guardiola during his time at Manchester City. The EFL maintains that the ball meets all FIFA standards.
Despite the setback, Arteta remains optimistic, stating that the focus is now solely on the second leg on February 5th. While acknowledging the difficulty of the situation, he believes Arsenal still possesses the capability to overcome the deficit and advance to the final. The team will now work on adapting to the ball and improving their finishing to avoid a repeat of Tuesday’s frustrating performance.
First Piper 