Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal, believes that his team wasted a lot of opportunities against Newcastle (0-2), Tuesday in the semi-final first leg of the League Cup, due to the ball being different from that used in the Premier League.
A large domination but a dry defeat. Arsenal experienced a very bitter evening on Tuesday, losing to Newcastle (0-2) in the semi-final first leg of the League Cup despite 23 shots but only three on target. The Gunners finished the match with 3.09xG, the number of goals expected depending on the dangerousness of the chances, and clear possession of the ball (70%). But they came across the Magpies, who were much more lethal (seven shots including four on target).
“This ball flies a lot”
Mikel Arteta regretted the waste of his players in the finish, without blaming them. On the other hand, he was surprised by the lightness of the balloon which seemed to have disturbed his troops. “We just have to try to show them and give them advice on what we can do better,” he said. “I think we shot a lot over the bar and it's tricky that that ball flies a lot. We discussed that as well, so there are details we can improve.”
The ball used in the League Cup supplied by Puma is different from that of the Premier League, whose equipment supplier is Nike. “It's just very different to the Premier League ball, and you have to adapt to it because it flies differently,” he added. “When you touch it, the grip is also very different, so you have to adapt to it. But in the end, it's over, there's no going back, it's about the next game, and This is our world, the reality of our world.”
“If you look at what both teams produced and the domination of the match, it's obviously not the result that reflects the story of the match, but the reality is that they were super efficient with the chances they have had, and we have not,” he agreed. “There are things we could have done better. We were unlucky at times. It takes a certain amount of luck for the ball to bounce there. It also takes that intuition. And if it doesn't, we “We're going to have to generate more. That's what we can do, then the probability will be higher for us to win.”
Arsenal travel to Newcastle on Wednesday February 5 with a two-goal disadvantage and a ball to tame.
Nicolas Couet Journalist RMC Sport
