Mikel Arteta has suggested Arsenal’s failure to adapt to the Carabao Cup ball was a factor in Tuesday’s 2-0 semifinal, first leg defeat to Newcastle United.
Goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon put Eddie Howe’s side in a commanding position ahead of the return match on Feb. 5. The Gunners wasted a catalogue of chances and ended with an expected goals figure of 3.12 — the highest number by a Premier League team in any game without scoring this season.
Manchester City’s coaching staff when Pep Guardiola complained about the ball after a fourth-round tie in October 2017. Guardiola claimed “to score with that ball is a miracle” of the Mitre ball after beating Wolves 4-1 in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw.
The EFL later produced a statement which read: “The Mitre ball used in this season’s Carabao Cup is of exactly the same technical specification as the balls used in the Sky Bet EFL and Checkatrade Trophy, all of which are tested in accordance with the FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs and meet the FIFA Quality Pro standard.
“All balls used in the professional game are required to meet this standard.”
Source: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/43325707/ball-flight-added-arsenal-misses-mikel-arteta
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