"All clubs play with the same ball" - EFL spokesperson responds to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta's criticism of ball used in Carabao Cup

An EFL spokesperson has responded to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta's criticism of the ball used in the Carabao Cup. After the 2-0 defeat against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-final's first leg, Arteta claimed that the balls used in the competition "fly a lot".

The Magpies secured a 2-0 win at the Emirates on Tuesday, January 7, thanks to goals from Alexander Isak (37') and Anthony Gordon (51'). The Gunners took 23 shots and won 11 corners, but could only land three efforts on target.

After the game, Arteta said:

"We 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."

The EFL spokesperson responded to Arteta's claims, stating:

“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.”

"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," the spokesperson added.

Notably, a Puma ball is used in the Carabao Cup, which has been tested in accordance with the FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs. Moreover, the competition has been using this same ball since the 2021-22 season.

Puma will also be the Premier League's official ball suppliers from the upcoming 2025-26 edition. It will replace Nike, which has been associated to the top tier of English football for a mind-boggling 25 years.

Arsenal will face an uphill task on February 5, when they travel to St. James' Park as a two-goal deficit won't be an easy one to overturn.

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Arsenal's defensive record in the Premier League

The Gunners last won the Premier League in the 2003/04 "invincibles" campaign. However, the ongoing season presents a fine opportunity to get their hands back on the coveted trophy.

They currently sit second in the Premier League with 40 points from 20 games. League leaders Liverpool are six points ahead, having played a game less.

Defensively, Arsenal have been the best team in the Premier League so far, having conceded only 18 goals. Liverpool and Nottingham Forest are the only other teams to have conceded less than 20 goals - 19.