EFL has fired back at Mikel Arteta with a strong-worded statement after a perplexing criticism of the Carabao Cup match ball by the Arsenal manager.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
The Gunners went down 2-0 against NewcastleArteta criticised Carabao Cup's match ball EFL released a statement to counter his claims Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Arsenal suffered a rare home defeat at Emirates Stadium, where goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon secured Newcastle’s advantage in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semifinal on Tuesday. Despite dominating much of the game, Arsenal failed to convert numerous opportunities, recording an expected goals (xG) tally of 3.12—the highest for any Premier League side in a match where they failed to score this season.
AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE
When Arteta was asked how Arsenal could address their missed chances, he diverted attention to the Puma ball used in Carabao Cup matches, which differs from the Nike ball typically used in Premier League games.
"I think we kicked a lot of the balls over the bar and it is tricky: this ball flies a lot," he said.
"We discuss that as well so there are details we can do better. But in the end, that's gone. This is no way back, it is about the next game. That is our world. It is just different, very different to the Premier League ball and you have to adapt to that because it flies differently. When you touch it, the grip is very different as well and you have to adapt."
WHAT THE EFL SAID
Arteta’s remarks prompted a swift and robust rebuttal from the EFL. In a statement shared with on Wednesday, the league emphasized that the Puma ball adheres to rigorous international standards and is widely used across Europe without issue.
It read: "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.
"In addition to the Carabao Cup, the same ball has been successfully used in other major European leagues, including both Serie A and LaLiga 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."
DID YOU KNOW?
Pep Guardiola had also earlier complained about the Carabao Cup match ball back in 2017 after Manchester City emerged triumphant over Wolves in a penalty shoot-out. However, back then the Mitre ball was being used instead of the current Puma one.