Balls Out – Arsenal vs. Newcastle Match Report | OneFootball

The good news is that in some ways, the match did not disappoint. The final score was Arsenal 0, Newcastle 2. But the drama wasn’t just confined to the pitch.

Match Highlights

Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon continued their blistering run of form on a frigid evening in Emirates stadium. Isak in particular was red hot, converting his team’s only shot of the first half. The half-time didn’t cool his jets, as his 51st minute shot was palmed away by David Raya into the path of a lurking Gordon. Arsenal possessed, passed, corner-kicked and danced all over the pitch, but had nothing to show for it. Just like that it was over, with the visiting team looking hungry for their first trophy in 55 years, and Arsenal perplexed.

Post-Match Highlights

But managers say the darndest things sometimes. This time it’s Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta who came up with the latest doozy. A gentleman known to provide the media with choice soundbites in post-match interviews, Arteta was sanguine about his team’s loss to Newcastle, praising the opposition’s “ruthless efficiency” with their chances and bemoaning his own squad’s profligacy. All good so far, but then he went on at some length about the match ball, implying not-so-subtly that it played a factor in Arsenal’s performance. Okay….

It’s a fact that the Premier League uses a Nike ball in competition. The Carabao Cup uses a Puma ball. It’s also a fact that Arsenal outshot Newcastle 23 to 7, but only had 3 on target to the Magpies’ 4. Factor in the goalkeeper saves and, voila, it all spells L-O-S-S. Yeah, maybe the ball had something to with it, but maybe pigs fly out of my bottom. The ball didn’t seem to bother Newcastle.

Then there are the other statistics. Arsenal had 69.5% possession and 11 corner kicks to Newcastle’s 1. For all the hagiographic press the Gunners have received on their set-piece coach, it sure didn’t manifest today. Is this also because the ball?

Post-Post-Match Highlights

The Carabao Cup marketing team hastily responded to Mikel’s comments by releasing this statement: “As is required throughout the professional game, the PUMA ball used in this season’s Carabao Cup and in EFL competition since 2021-22 is tested in accordance with the FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs and meets the FIFA Quality Pro standard. In addition to the Carabao Cup, the same ball has been successfully used in other major European leagues, including both Serie A and LaLiga and our three divisions in the EFL. All Clubs play with the same ball, and we have received no further comments of this nature following any of the previous 88 fixtures which have taken place in this season’s Carabao Cup.”Whew. Turns out everyone uses the same ball. That’s a relief (not to mention, blatantly obvious).

What’s Next

All this makes for a dramatic second tie on Feb. 5 up Newcastle way. Can the Gunners stage a comeback? Will Isak and Gordon still have hot feet? And will someone please give the Arsenal training staff some Puma balls they can practice with?