Mikel Arteta makes embarrassing excuse for Arsenal failing to score vs Newcastle | Football
Mikel Arteta dug deep into his books of excuses after his goal-shy Arsenal side slumped to a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle.
After Saturday’s costly draw at Brighton, where the Gunners failed to create a chance of note in the half an hour that remained after the hosts equalised, Arsenal were at least boosted by the return of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli to the starting line-up against the Magpies.
Both players missed glorious opportunities to score, however, and Arteta’s side were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal.
Arteta’s side generated 3.76 expected goals over the course of 90 minutes but failed to find the back of the net, whereas their opponents were ruthlessly efficient with the chances they created.
With an attack spearheaded by long-time Arsenal transfer target Alexander Isak, Newcastle have one foot in the Wembley final after goals from the Sweden international and fellow in-form forward Anthony Gordon helped Eddie Howe’s side build a commanding advantage ahead of the return leg at St James’ Park.
Erratic finishing, meanwhile, has been a hallmark of Arsenal’s season to date but Arteta risked ridicule last night by insisting the type of ball used in the League Cup was partly responsible for his team being unable to find a way past Martin Dubravka.
‘We kicked a lot of balls over the bar,’ noted Arteta.
Gabriel Martinelli hit the post in the first half
Alexander Isak showed Arsenal what they were missing
‘It’s tricky. This ball flies a lot. It’s just different to the Premier League ball and we have to adapt to that. It flies different, the grip is very different as well.’
Despite their sizable lead and strong recent home record against Arsenal, Howe was urging caution ahead of the return fixture which is scheduled to take place next month.
‘Today is another big step forward when you look at the recent run we’ve had away from home,’ Howe told Sky Sports after his side’s seventh successive win in all competitions.
‘We played with real confidence and belief but in terms of the tie it’s still very much alive and finely balanced and we have a really tough home leg to come.’
Howe admitted his side were creaking in the second half as Arsenal desperately sought a way back, but said he was proud of the way his team defended.
‘There was a lot of fatigue in the second half,’ he said. ‘We started off on the front foot but then we fatigued and then it was about our mentality to defend. We knew what was at stake and the players put their bodies on the line.’
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