Mikel Arteta's bizarre decision to blame Arsenal's defeat to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup on the ball has been dismissed by the English Football League.

The Gunners boss watched his side lose 2-0 to the Magpies at the Emirates in the first leg of their cup semi-final, but insisted afterwards the Puma match ball used in the competition played a part because it is different to what his side are used to in the Premier League. Former Rangers star 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."

But his theory has now been rubbished by the EFL, who were forced to put out a statement defending the ball - which is used in some of the world's top leagues, inclduing Serie A and La Liga. In their statement the EFL say: "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.

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“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.”

Newcastle are looking to lift silverware for the first time in 56 years, with the Carabao Cup representing their best chance of doing that, and boss Eddie Howe hailed star man Alexander Isak as "the best forward in Europe at the moment." But a frustrated Arteta was less convinced, adding: "I don't think he (Isak) created or had any big chances, but he was involved in both goals unfortunately with the two times that he had the ball in the box. That's what you have - the real quality up front and they can make a difference. They're very clinical."