Did Mikel Arteta really blame the ball for Arsenal’s defeat by Newcastle?

The Telegraph’s claim that Mikel Arteta blamed the Carabao Cup ball for Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle lacks nuance, oversimplifying his analysis of missed chances, but is anyone surprised?

In an article published by The Daily Telegraph under the provocative headline, “Arteta blames ball for Arsenal horror show,” Mikel Arteta‘s post-match comments following Arsenal’s 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg defeat to Newcastle United are presented in a misleading and reductive manner.

While the headline suggests Arteta attributed his team’s loss solely to the Puma-manufactured match ball, a closer examination of his statements reveals a more nuanced critique and a broader assessment of Arsenal‘s failings.

Surprising, huh?

Arteta did indeed acknowledge the differences between the Carabao Cup ball and the Nike ball used in the Premier League, noting that the flight and grip required adjustment – but only because he was asked about it. The suggestion that this was blamed for Arsenal’s profligacy in front of goal is a mischaracterisation, to put it politely.

In reality, Arteta pointed to Newcastle’s clinical efficiency as the defining difference in the match. Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon capitalised on their limited opportunities, while Arsenal squandered 23 shots, including glaring misses from Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz.

Arteta’s comments about the ball—”it’s tricky that these balls fly a lot”—came in response to direct questions about his team’s poor finishing. This observation, however, was only part of a broader explanation that included tactical deficiencies and a need for technical refinement.

Asked specifically what he could do to help his players find the back of the net more, Arteta said: “Just try and show them, give them kicks or tips of what they can do better. 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 was then pressed further on his passing comment about the ball, as the journalists chased their headline. “It’s just different. Very different to a 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, so you adapt to that.”

To frame this as Arteta blaming the ball is laughable. It completely overlooks Arteta’s acknowledgment of Arsenal’s failure to adapt and Newcastle’s defensive resilience.

But that wouldn’t make such a good headline, would it? I certainly wouldn’t be writing about the Telegraph if they simply did their job and reported accurately.

Eddie Howe, Newcastle’s head coach, admitted his team benefited from good fortune and “heroic pieces of defending” to keep Arsenal out. Newcastle’s players, particularly Isak—praised by Gordon as “the best striker in Europe”—exploited Arsenal’s defensive lapses, leaving the Gunners vulnerable to counterattacks.

The Telegraph’s focus on Arteta’s comments about the ball are designed to sensationalise rather than inform, steering attention away from the complexities of the match in chase of cheap kicks. Arsenal’s inability to convert chances, coupled with injuries to key attacking players, and Newcastle’s defensive organisation, played far greater roles in the defeat.

But the Telegraph know that. They just don’t care.