The EFL has defended the ball used in the Carabao Cup this season after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta suggested it had played a factor in their missed chances against Newcastle.
Arsenal suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday night.
The Gunners had 23 shots at the Emirates, but had just three attempts on target with Kai Havertz producing a glaring miss when he misjudged a header and shouldered the ball wide.
‘We also kicked a lot of balls over the bar, and it's tricky that these balls fly a lot so there’s details that we can do better,' Arteta said post-match.
‘But at the end that’s gone, there’s no way back it's about the next game and that’s our world, the reality.’
When pressed further on the issue, Arteta added: 'No, it's just different. It's very different to the Premier League ball and you have to adapt to that.
'It flies different... when you touch it, the grip is very different as well so you have to adapt to that.'
In the Carabao Cup, a Puma ball is used, whereas a Nike ball is used in the Premier League.
Clubs are given balls to train with before EFL Cup fixtures.
The EFL have responded to Arteta's comments, revealing the Arsenal boss is the first to have expressed concerns over the match ball.
‘As is required throughout the professional game, the PUMA ball used in this season's Carabao Cup and in EFL competition since 2021-22 is tested in accordance with the FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs and meets the FIFA Quality Pro standard,' an EFL spokesperson said.
‘In addition to the Carabao Cup, the same ball has been successfully used in other major European leagues, including Serie A and La Liga and our three divisions in the EFL.
‘All clubs play with the same ball, and we have received no further comments of this nature following any of the previous 88 fixtures which have taken place in this season’s Carabao Cup.’
Puma are set to become the official match ball of Premier League matches from next season, with the top flight having opted to switch from Nike after 25 years.
When Arteta was Manchester City assistant manager, Pep Guardiola branded the Mitre ball used in a Carabao Cup last-16 tie victory against Wolves in October 2017, as ‘highly unacceptable’.
Arsenal will play with a third ball in three matches with a Mitre ball set to be used in their FA Cup third round tie against Manchester United this weekend.
speciebaba
1
Arteta will still complain about the third ball in Mitre ball set to be used in their FA Cup third round tie against Manchester United this weekend. If Man United win await another complain like we are kicking the ball but it's not moving at all or it refuse to move
speciebaba
0
Am somehow confuse if NewCastle used different ball during the match to the one Arsenal used because I don't understand his complain or excuse... Arteta with excuse are 5&6
jonbdeipt
0
was it not the Puma ball they used when they eliminated Crystal Palace? It's so funny to hear that from Arteta
ReyC
1
Sack this ba#tard
muaabcdios
1
I hate arsenal for all
paecdlop
2
arteta is a real shit ..... how can u complain about the ball n yet u're opponents are scoring using the same ball ,.. he's just failing with things
Anthonymax08
3
Then did Newcastle use a nike or adidas ball what bullshit is dat back to Spain
jasbdeksy
2
oh my god Arteta....Newcastle had to play with that ball too and they scored. you didn't...your team lost...you bitter because you won't win another trophy again this year......you come across as one of the most arrogant pricks around Arteta.
Lidbeklruy
1
how can he ( Arteta) win that match knowing exactly that putting Jesus on the bench and starting lazy Havertz will cost Arsenal that game , Jesus is on form but left on as a substitute
Dutackpsyz
1
arteta stay humble ehhh
ManutdFan83
5
Did Newcastle United score two goals against Arsenal with the Nike ball? What a rubbish excuse
Heeabcilmn
2
arsenal only needs an attacker. how did Newcastle managed to score?
makcilnpry
0
But he usually loses it
vauaeimosz
2
don't worry arteta is always a man of next season
nobleng123
3
Is it not the Same ball that their opponent used to score two goals? 🤔
SGTSingam
1
While Arsenal players kicked the ball fly over the bar, how could Tottenham Hotspur players kicked the same ball into the net... Twice 😂
wozdinorty
0
Kkkkkk but still their friends manages to score goals
Pasabilmnt
1
Puma must be now in a commercial crisis. Coucurella's shoes following those 2 costly slips and now the ball OR a case of a bad workman always blames his tools.
yehbdlpsyz
1
Balls are Balls