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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has stated that he will not offer excuses related to the ball prior to the FA Cup clash with Manchester United, after previously blaming the ball used in the Carabao Cup loss to Newcastle.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has vowed not to make any excuses about the match ball ahead of the club’s upcoming FA Cup clash with Manchester United. This comes after Arteta faced criticism for blaming the ball used in Arsenal’s recent Carabao Cup defeat against Newcastle United.
In the aftermath of Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, Arteta suggested that the difference in the match ball used in the competition compared to the Premier League ball was a factor in his team’s performance. He stated, “We kicked a lot of balls over the bar, and it’s tricky that these balls fly a lot, so there are 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 differently.”
Despite the backlash, Arteta has now promised to focus on his team’s performance rather than external factors. “We need to adapt and focus on what we can control,” Arteta said in a press conference. “The ball is the same for both teams, and we need to be ready to perform at our best.”
The FA Cup third-round tie against Manchester United will see Arsenal play with a special “Winners’ Ball” to celebrate United’s success in last season’s competition. The ball features gold accents and is designed to add an extra layer of excitement to the match.
As Arsenal prepares to face Manchester United, Arteta’s commitment to focusing on his team’s performance rather than external factors will be crucial. The match promises to be an exciting encounter, and Arsenal will need to bring their best game to secure a victory.
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