The EFL issues a statement in response to Mikel Arteta's complaints about the Carabao Cup ball… after the Gunners boss claimed they are “flying a lot” following their semi-final first leg defeat.

The EFL defended the ball used in the Carabao Cup this season after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta suggested it had influenced missed chances against Newcastle.

Arsenal suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday night.

The Gunners took 23 shots at the Emirates but only had three attempts on target and Kai Havertz flagrantly failed when he misjudged a header and deflected the ball.

“We also kicked a lot of balls over the crossbar, and it is difficult for these balls to fly a lot, so there are details that we can improve,” Arteta said after the match.

“But in the end that's over, there's no turning back, it's about the next game and that's our world, reality.”

When pressed further on the issue, Arteta added: “No, it's just different.” It is very different to the Premier League ball and you have to adapt to that.

The EFL defended the use of the Puma ball in the Carabao Cup after Mikel Arteta's comments

Mikel Arteta strangely raised the ball when analyzing Arsenal's defeat against Newcastle

Arsenal wasted several opportunities as they had 23 shots, but only three of them were on target.

“It flies different… when you touch it, the grip is very different too, so you have to adapt to that.”

A Puma ball is used in the Carabao Cup, while a Nike ball is used in the Premier League.

Clubs receive training balls before EFL Cup matches.

The EFL has responded to Arteta's comments, revealing that the Arsenal manager is the first to express concern over the match ball.

“As required throughout the professional game, the PUMA ball used in this season's Carabao Cup and in the EFL competition from 2021-22 is tested in accordance with the FIFA Football Ball Quality Program and meets the FIFA Quality Pro standard,” an EFL spokesperson said. .

'In addition to the Carabao Cup, the same ball has been used successfully in other major European leagues, including Serie A and La Liga and our three EFL divisions.

“All clubs play with the same ball and we have not received any further comments of this nature after any of the previous 88 matches that have taken place in this season's Carabao Cup.”

Arteta claimed that the Puma Carabao Cup ball was 'different' and said that 'these balls fly a lot'

Puma will become the official match ball of the Premier League from next season as the top flight has opted to abandon Nike after 25 years.

When Arteta was Manchester City assistant manager, Pep Guardiola called the Miter ball used in the Carabao Cup last-16 victory against Wolves in October 2017 “highly unacceptable”.

Arsenal will play with a third ball in three matches and a Miter ball will be used in their FA Cup third round tie against Manchester United this weekend.