'Tricky' Carabao Cup ball a factor in Arsenal profligacy, reckons Arteta 

Arsenal's Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes controls the ball during the League Cup semi-final first leg with Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium. Photo: Glyn KIRK / AFP 

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final did not reflect his team's performance as he hinted the ball used for the game at the Emirates Stadium hindered his players.

The Gunners were guilty of missing a host of chances as their hopes of reaching the final at Wembley in March were made to feel distant after an excellent display by Eddie Howe's side.