Newcastle United fans took great pleasure in taunting Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during their side’s Carabao Cup semifinal victory, following the Spaniard’s previous complaints about the match ball used in the competition.
Arteta and the Controversial Ball
After Arsenal’s first-leg defeat, Arteta voiced his frustration over the use of Puma balls in the Carabao Cup, claiming they felt completely different from those used in the Premier League. He stated:
"It’s just different. It flies differently, and when you touch it, the grip feels completely different. You have to adapt to it."
Newcastle Fans’ Perfect Response
Newcastle supporters didn’t miss the chance to fire back at Arteta. After Anthony Gordon found the net, the home crowd broke into a sarcastic chant:
"It must be the ball, it must be the ball, Mikel Arteta, it must be the ball!"
As the match neared its conclusion, they added another dig at the Arsenal boss, chanting:
"He’s going to cry in a minute!"
Newcastle’s Social Media Dig
Following their dominant 4-0 aggregate victory, Newcastle’s official social media account joined in on the fun, posting an image of the match ball with the cheeky caption:
"The culprit!"
With this emphatic win, Newcastle not only secured a spot in the final but also left Arteta and Arsenal with an extra dose of frustration—both on and off the pitch.
