EFL hits back after Arteta´s bizarre ball complaint in Newcastle defeat

Mikel Arteta may not have been impressed with the ball used in Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle United, but the English Football League has no doubts over the quality of its equipment.

Arsenal suffered a 2-0 defeat in Tuesday’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg as Newcastle seized the advantage with goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.

Arteta seemingly blamed the Puma ball in play at the Emirates Stadium, suggesting his players struggled to adapt to the differences in comparison to Nike’s Premier League offering.

“I think we kicked a lot of the balls over the bar and it is tricky, this ball flies a lot,” the Arsenal manager said.

“We discuss that as well so there are details we can do better. But in the end, that’s gone. This is no way back, it is about the next game.

“That is our world. It is just different, very different to the Premier League ball and you have to adapt to that because it flies differently. When you touch it, the grip is very different as well and you have to adapt.”

@NUFC take a two-goal lead back to St. James’ Park! #EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/H0fudscwMZ

— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) January 7, 2025

The EFL soon responded, however, assuring the quality of the ball has been proven and tested across multiple leagues in Europe.

“As is required throughout the professional game, the Puma ball used in this season’s EFL 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,” an EFL statement said on Wednesday.

“In addition to the EFL 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 EFL Cup.”