Mikel Arteta made headlines when blaming the match ball when Arsenal lost 2-0 at home to Newcastle United. As always, the Gunners boss looking for excuses when his team lose, rather than graciously accepting the defeat.

Newcastle United won 2-0 at Arsenal in the first leg of the EFL Cup semifinals on Tuesday, pulling off a major upset that gives the Magpies a sizable advantage before next month's second leg. Arsenal dominated the match in terms of shots and possession but were trailing by the 37th minute when Alexander Isak gave Newcastle the lead.

Alexander Isak scored his 50th goal for Newcastle United as Eddie Howe's side took a huge step towards the League Cup final with a 2-0 victory at Arsenal on Tuesday.

Newcastle took a massive step towards a second Carabao Cup final in three seasons with a hugely impressive semi-final first leg away win

The Telegraph’s claim that Mikel Arteta blamed the Carabao Cup ball for Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle lacks nuance, oversimplifying his analysis of missed chances, but is anyone surprised?Arteta

Arsenal host Newcastle United in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinals at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta reacts to Arsenal's 2-0 loss to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semifinal first leg.

It was a first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal for Arsenal to forget as Alexander Isak's goal and assist powered Newcastle United to a 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium, but while Mikel Arteta gave Newcastle credit for their performance,

League Cup organisers have poked fun at Mikel Arteta after the Arsenal manager suggested the "tricky" match ball played a part in his side's defeat by Newcastle.Arteta is under pressure to deliver his second trophy as Arsenal manager,

Tuesday's 2-0 loss to Newcastle United in the first leg of Arsenal's semifinal tie in the Carabao Cup was the latest example of the struggles manager Mikel Arteta is having to deal with personnel-wise.