"Excuses mean you cannot grow or move forward." Mikel Arteta learned many lessons from his former mentor but seems to have disregarded that particular pearl of wisdom. Arsenal's increasingly beleaguered boss blamed the "tricky" ball used in the Carabao Cup after his side's wayward performance in a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United on Tuesday.

Mikel Arteta lamented Arsenal’s inefficiency in front of goal compared to Newcastle and Alexander Isak, but backed his players to turn around the 2-0 Carabao Cup deficit – so long as they adapt to the “tricky” ball being used in the competition.

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

Emmanuel Petit has identified the three signings Mikel Arteta needs to make in January to kick-start Arsenal’s season and admits he is getting ‘frustrated’ and ‘annoyed’ by Gabriel Martinelli. The Gunners are struggling to show the consistency that enabled them to rival Manchester City for the Premier League title over the past two seasons.

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.

Mikel Arteta raised eyebrows when he suggested that Arsenal struggled in their first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final because of the quality of the ball.

The EFL have defended the ball used in Carabao Cup matches after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta suggested it may have been a factor in defeat to the Newcastle.

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.