Mikel Arteta lamented Arsenal's waste 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 string 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 3.09 expected goals but only managed three on target, with Gabriel Martinelli hitting the post in the first half and Kai Havertz missing their best chance in the second period when he a free header awkwardly wide. up close.
A number of other chances flew over the bar and Arteta referred to the differences between the ball used in the league, made by Puma, and the ball used in the Premier League, produced by Nike, as she reflected on the goalscoring problems of Arsenal in the league. his press conference.
When asked what he could do to help his players improve their finishing, he said: “Nothing, just try to show them and give them tips on what we can do better.
“I think we have kicked a lot of balls over the bar and it is difficult that this ball flies a lot. We have discussed that too, so there are details that we can do better.”
Asked again about the ball, Arteta added: “It's just different, it's just 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 also very different , so you have to adapt to that.
“But in the end it's over. 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 problems in the previous rounds of the competition, scoring a total of eleven goals in their matches against Bolton, Preston and Crystal Palace while using the same ball.
Against Newcastle, however, their wayward finishing was in stark contrast to Newcastle's ruthlessness, with their two goals coming from just seven shots in total.
Arteta added: “When you look at what both teams produced and the dominance of the match, it is obviously not the result that reflects the story of the match, but the reality is that they were super efficient with the chances they had , and we weren't.
“There are things we could have done better. We were unlucky at times. You need a certain amount of luck to bounce the ball there. You also need that intuition. And if not, we will have to generate more. “
“That's what we can do, then we're more likely to win. But against this team it's certainly the case that we can produce what we've produced. Looking back on the last six games I've seen, I haven't seen.” But unfortunately the result says zero-two.”
Arsenal head to St James' Park on Wednesday, February 5, with a mountain to climb, but Arteta is confident his side can turn the tie around.
“We have to be disappointed because this is another result we wanted, but that is the reality,” he added. “I have full confidence. I've seen my team play against them – I believe we can do it.”
Analysis: Isak shows that Arsenal are missing the cutting edge
Sky Sports' Nick Wright at Emirates Stadium:
Kai Havertz had four shots without scoring. Gabriel Martinelli had three, as did Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes. Arsenal's finishing problems were in stark contrast to the clinical brilliance of Alexander Isak. Both of his shots led to goals for Newcastle.
The first was hit off the crossbar into the net after Sven Botman had tapped in Martin Dubravka's long free kick, which was helped into the path of Isak by Jacob Murphy. The second forced David Raya to parry the ball to the feet of the grateful Anthony Gordon.
Isak decided this match effectively, as he has so many others this season. The 25-year-old has scored fifteen goals in all competitions. Three quarters of this was received in just one month. His form has been utterly devastating and Arsenal are just his latest victim.
It is not surprising that they are among his suitors. This was the sixth game this season in which they have not scored and there have been seven more games in which they have scored just once. How they could use a finisher like Isak. Newcastle is feeling the benefits.
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