Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal can turn the tie around after claiming the ball was partly to blame for their defeat.
Newcastle striker Alexander Isak scored and played a part in Anthony Gordon’s goal to give the Toon Army a huge advantage in the two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final. But Arteta insisted afterwards the different Puma match ball in the competition played a part because it is different to what they are used to in the Premier League.
Gunners boss Arteta said: “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. It’s very different to a 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 adapt to that.
“It’s just half-time. When I see the team play, and how we deal with a lot of situations and play against a very good team I must say I have full belief that we can go out there and do it. If you look at what both teams produced and the dominance it’s not the result that reflects the story of the game but the reality is they were super efficient with the chances they had and we weren’t.”
Isak scored his 50th goal for Newcastle since joining the club in August 2022 and his partner Gordon claimed: “I don’t think there’s a better centre forward in Europe at the moment.” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is chasing the club’s first major trophy in 56 years and he hailed his team’s performance and also that of danger man Isak.
Howe added: “Alex played very well in the first half today, he looked really good physically, his pace and movements were giving them a problem. I was delighted with how he performed. When Alex is in that mood, as he was in the first half, he is a brilliant player for us. It goes without saying that he does the hard work and raises our overall level.”
The Gunners have been linked with a move for the Newcastle forward as they aim to bolster their attacking options. But it has been claimed that Newcastle have put a £150m price tag on the former Real Sociedad man’s head.
Speaking about the forward, Arteta said: “I don’t think he created or had any big chances, but he was involved in both goals unfortunately with the two times that he had the ball in the box. That’s what you have – the real quality up front and they can make a difference. They’re very clinical.”
What went wrong for Arsenal vs Newcastle? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Arsenal could potentially do with another forward after a couple of indifferent results. A disappointing draw with Brighton – a game in which they had just three shots on target – came before the defeat to Newcastle. And things are not set to get any easier with an FA Cup clash with Manchester United to come this weekend.
Asked if fatigue could become an issue for his side, Arteta added: “If we lose the game, or draw the game, it’s going to be down to that. If we win and today we score three that we should have scored, the story would have been different. It’s incredible – they’re tireless and how they try in every single action, but I don’t even want to talk about that. We have so many games coming up, big ones, and the team really wants it.”
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