Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remains optimistic about his team’s chances of reaching the Carabao Cup final, despite a challenging 2-0 loss to Newcastle United in the first leg of their semi-final. The defeat, marked by goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, highlighted Arsenal’s inability to convert their dominance into goals, a problem Arteta attributed, in part, to the unique characteristics of the competition’s ball.
The Gunners fired 23 shots during the match but managed to hit the target only three times. Notable missed opportunities included Gabriel Martinelli striking the post and Kai Havertz misfiring from close range. Addressing these misses in his post-match conference, Arteta expressed frustration but refused to criticize his players’ efforts, instead pointing to the ball’s behavior as a factor.
“We kicked a lot of balls over the bar, and these balls fly a lot – it’s tricky,” he said. “There are details we can improve, but there’s no way back now. We have to focus on the next game.”
Arteta elaborated on the differences between the Puma-manufactured ball used in the Carabao Cup and the Nike ball used in the Premier League. “It’s very different,” he explained. “The grip and how it flies – it’s something you have to adapt to.”
Despite the Newcastle setback, Arsenal’s earlier performances in this season’s Carabao Cup suggest they can adapt when needed. The Gunners racked up 11 goals across three matches, defeating Bolton Wanderers 5-1, Preston North End 3-0, and Crystal Palace 3-2.
Interestingly, Arsenal’s shooting accuracy in the EFL Cup has been comparable to their efforts in the Premier League and Champions League. Before Tuesday’s game, 53% of their 51 shots in the competition were on target, a figure nearly identical to their Premier League accuracy of 52%. In the Champions League, where Adidas produces the ball, their accuracy reached 58%.
Arteta remains resolute as his team prepares for the second leg. “It’s just half-time,” he said. “I have full belief we can go out there and turn it around against a very good team.”
With the deficit looming large, Arsenal will need to refine their finishing and adapt further to the ball’s unique characteristics. Arteta’s belief in his squad’s quality and resilience could prove pivotal as they aim for a comeback in the second leg to secure a place in the final.
