Mikel Arteta suggests match ball played role in Arsenal's defeat to Newcastle
Arsenal lost 2-0 to Newcastle in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final
Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal can still advance to the Carabao Cup final despite their 2-0 semi-final first leg defeat to Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
The Magpies look to have one foot in the decider, which takes place at Wembley Stadium on March 16. Alexander Isak sent the visitors on their way after 37 minutes with his 10th strike from nine appearances before Anthony Gordon doubled Newcastle’s advantage half-a-dozen minutes after the interval.
It marked a seventh win in succession for Eddie Howe’s side as they chase their first trophy in 55 years.
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However, Arteta suggested after the game that the ball used in the Carabao Cup contributed to his side's defeat. The Gunners registered 23 shots on Newcastle’s goal in all, but they were unable to find a breakthrough.
He said: "I think we kicked a lot of the balls over the bar and it's tricky that this ball flies a lot. We discussed that as well, so there are details that we can do better."
The Arsenal boss added: "It's just very different to the Premier League ball, and you have to adapt to that because it flies different. When you touch it, the grip is very different as well, so you have to adapt to that.
"But in the end, that's gone, there is no way back, it's about the next game, and that's our world, the reality of our world."
His side will now have to brush themselves down for their third-round FA Cup tie against Manchester United, back at the Emirates on Sunday.
Reflected on a hard-fought victory, Newcastle manager Howe said: “The players definitely played today fatigued.
“We knew they would be from the Tottenham game (on Saturday), that was a big, physical game so we knew coming here it was going to be a tough ask mentally and physically.
“We lost our strength in the second half and it was a case of just managing the game.”
Of Isak’s display, which brought the striker a 50th Newcastle goal and a 10th in seven games before he was withdrawn as a precaution in the second half, Howe said: “He played very well in the first half today.
“He looked really good physically, his pace and movement were giving them a problem and he looked free. He took his goal really well.
“He’s so important. We can’t lose him, we can’t risk losing him. It’s a brilliant return. I think every team needs a good striker.
“You can see when Alex is in that mood tonight as he was in the first half, he is a brilliant player for us to use, I think the players really appreciate him.”
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