On Tuesday, Arsenal suffered a 2–0 home defeat in the semi-final first leg of the EFL Carabao Cup, something that has left them on the brink of elimination.
Goals from Arsenal transfer target Alexander Isak and England striker Anthony Gordon were enough to condemn Arsenal to their first home defeat of the season in all competitions.
They will now have to overturn the two-goal deficit in the second leg at St. James’ Park if they are to book their ticket to Wembley for a chance to land the first silverware of the campaign.
After the game, Arteta seemed to suggest that his side is more accustomed to the Nike ball used in the Premier League as opposed to the Puma ball that is used in the Carabao Cup.
“It’s very different to the Premier League ball”—Arteta
The Gunners had an impressive 23 shots in the game but only three of those were on target and did little to trouble Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
“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. 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,” Arteta is quoted saying by the Daily Mail UK.
He said his team struggled to adapt to the Puma ball.
“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,” he said.
Meanwhile, some Arsenal fans chanted ‘Welcome home’ towards Isak as the club’s interest in the Swedish international intensified.
Isak is considered the best striker in the world at the moment. Tuesday’s goal meant he had scored eight times in his last five matches in all competitions.
Arteta’s Arsenal has always been criticized for lacking a number 9 and Isak is seen as the prime target.
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