Mikel Arteta: Arsenal boss says Carabao Cup ball was a factor in his side's scrappy finish against Newcastle

Mikel Arteta slammed Arsenal in their 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Newcastle and suggested the ball used in the competition was a contributing factor.

Arsenal missed a number of chances at the Emirates Stadium as goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon put Newcastle in control of the tie ahead of next month's second leg.

The Gunners had 23 shots worth an expected 3.09 goals, but managed just three of them on target, Gabriel Martinelli hitting the post in the first half and Kai Havertz missing his best chance. in the second period when he sent a free header well wide. from close range.

Several other chances went over the crossbar and Arteta pointed out the differences between the ball used in the competition, made by Puma, compared to the one used in the Premier League , which is made by Nike, when reflecting on Arsenal's scoring struggles in his press conference.

Asked what he can do to help his players improve their finishing, he said: “Nothing, just try to show them and give them suggestions on what we can do better.

“I think we kicked a lot of the balls over the bar and it's a shame that this ball flies a lot. We talked about that as well, so there are details that we can make it better.”

Asked again about the ball, Arteta said: “It's just different, it's very different to a Premier League ball, and you have to accept it because it flies differently . When you touch it, the grip is also very different, so you have to accept that.

“But in the end, that's gone, there's no going back, it's about the next game, and that's our world, the reality of our world. “

Arsenal had no such issues in the previous rounds of the competition, scoring a total of 11 goals in their ties against Bolton, Preston and Crystal Palace while using the same ball.

Against Newcastle, however, their wayward finishing was a stark contrast to Newcastle's ruthlessness, with both of their goals coming from just seven shots in total.

Arteta said: “If you look at what both teams did and the control of the game, obviously it's not the result that tells the story of the game, but the fact that they were very effective with the opportunities they had they had, and we didn't.

“There are things we could have done better. We were unlucky at times. You need special luck to kick the ball there. You need that intuition too. And if not, we need to generate more.

“That's what we can do, the probability will be higher for us to win. But certainly, against this team, to realize what we have done, looking back at the six games last I saw, I didn't see, but the result says zero two, unfortunately.”

Arsenal head to St James' Park on Wednesday February 5 with a mountain to climb but Arteta believes his side can turn the tie around.

“We have to be disappointed because we wanted another result, but that's the truth,” he said. “I have full faith. I saw my team play against them – I believe we can do it.”