Arsenal’s Arteta Criticizes League Cup Ball, Echoing Guardiola’s Past Complaints
Arsenal suffered a 2-0 defeat against Newcastle in the first leg of the English league Cup semi-final last Tuesday, with goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon. Following the loss, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta surprised many by attributing part of the team’s struggles to the match ball.
Arteta pointed out the significant difference between the ball used in the League Cup and the one used in the Premier League. “We were hitting the crossbar frequently, and these balls seem to fly differently,” he explained. “The grip feels different too,so there are adjustments we need to make.”
The English Football Federation (EFL), however, clarified through BBC Sport that the PUMA ball used in the Carabao Cup meets FIFA Quality Pro standards and is the same ball used in other major European leagues like Serie A and LaLiga. They emphasized that all clubs compete with the same ball and that no other complaints had been received during the 88 previous matches of this season’s Carabao Cup.
This isn’t the first time a prominent manager has voiced concerns about the League Cup ball. Back in 2017, Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola expressed strong dissatisfaction with the ball used in their league Cup match against Wolverhampton. He described it as “unacceptable for high-level competition,” criticizing it’s lightness and unpredictable movement. Guardiola went on to say that the ball was “for marketing, to make money” and not suitable for serious competition.Arsenal now faces an uphill battle as they travel to Newcastle for the second leg of the semi-final on February 5th. Meanwhile, the other semi-final sees Tottenham holding a 1-0 advantage over Liverpool after the first leg.the debate surrounding the League Cup ball highlights the importance of equipment consistency in professional football. While the EFL maintains that the current ball meets all necessary standards, the concerns raised by Arteta and Guardiola, both highly respected managers, suggest that further discussion and potential adjustments may be warranted.
Is the Carabao Cup Ball to Blame? A Conversation with Former England Striker, Alan Shearer
the debate surrounding the League Cup ball has taken centre stage this week after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, echoing sentiments previously voiced by Pep Guardiola, criticized the ball’s performance following a tough loss against Newcastle. This sparked a firestorm of controversy, leading many to question the impact of equipment on elite performance.
To delve deeper into this issue, we sat down with former England striker and football pundit Alan Shearer to get his viewpoint.
Moderator: Alan, Mikel Arteta has recently expressed concerns about the League Cup ball. Do you think there’s any substance to these claims, or is it just a case of finding excuses after a defeat?
Alan Shearer: look, I understand where Arteta’s coming from.As a player,you get used to a certain feel for the ball,its weight,its flight. When you suddenly have something different, it can definitely take some adjusting to. Now, whether it’s enough to explain a 2-0 defeat, that’s debatable.
Moderator: Interesting point. Guardiola voiced similar criticisms several years ago. Do you see a pattern hear?
Alan Shearer: Maybe. I think the higher level you play at, the more attuned you are to the slightest nuances. These top managers, they analyse every detail. Maybe they’re more sensitive to even subtle differences in ball quality.
Moderator: The EFL insists that the ball used in the Carabao Cup meets FIFA standards and is used in other top European leagues.
Alan Shearer: I get that. But standards are one thing, player experience is another. Just becuase it’s technically “good enough” doesn’t mean it’s ideal for every competition. Maybe the Premier league ball is just better suited for the style of play we see in England.
Moderator: So, what do you suggest? Should the EFL consider changing the ball for the league Cup?
alan Shearer: It’s a tough call. Changing the ball mid-season would be disruptive. But maybe they should at least take a closer look, get feedback from players and managers, and see if there’s a better solution. Consistency is key in football. If a ball feels different, it can affect a player’s confidence and decision-making on the pitch.
Moderator: This certainly raises some thought-provoking points, alan. It truly seems there’s more to this “ball debate” than meets the eye.
We want to hear from you! do you think the Carabao Cup ball should be changed? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
