After Arsenal’s 2-0 loss to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, manager Mikel Arteta raised an unusual concern—the ball.

Arteta suggested that the Puma Orbita 1 ball used in the competition affected his team’s shooting accuracy, contributing to their wasteful performance despite registering 23 shots without scoring.

His comments sparked debate across the football world. Was this just a frustrated manager deflecting blame, or do the balls used in elite competitions genuinely influence performance?e team struggled to find consistent form despite significant summer investment.

In his post-match press conference, Arteta voiced his frustrations clearly:

“We also kicked a lot of balls over the bar, and it’s tricky because these balls fly a lot. It’s very different from the Premier League ball.”

He highlighted the difference between the Puma Orbita 1 ball used in the Carabao Cup and the Nike Flight ball used in the Premier League. Arteta claimed the grip, weight, and flight patterns differed enough to impact his team’s shooting accuracy.

While Arsenal struggled, Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon seemed unaffected, scoring both goals with the same ball. Furthermore, Arsenal had scored 11 goals using the same ball in earlier rounds of the competition.

The EFL, responsible for organizing the Carabao Cup, responded with skepticism:

“The same ball has been used successfully in other major European leagues, including Serie A and La Liga. There have been no other complaints during this season’s competition.”

While Arteta’s claims were dismissed by some, science suggests he may have a point. Footballs are not uniform, and subtle variations in design and construction can have a noticeable impact on performance.

Football regulations allow for variations within a standard range. According to FIFA’s laws of the game, a regulation size-5 ball must:

• Measure 68-70 cm in circumference

• Weigh between 410-450 grams

• Be inflated to a pressure of 0.6 to 1.1 bars

However, minor differences within those parameters can significantly alter how a ball behaves during flight, particularly at the elite level where precision matters.

Justin Lea, founder of Hayworth Athletic, a ball manufacturing company, explained:

“The more ‘perfect’ a ball is, the more likely it is to be erratic. Some balls with thermal bonding and higher-end materials can get so spherical that the dynamics change. The ball can swerve in unpredictable ways.”

This brings to mind the infamous Adidas Jabulani used during the 2010 World Cup, which was criticised for its unpredictable flight path.

The Jabulani remains one of the most controversial footballs ever made.

Designed by Adidas for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, it featured an eight-panel design and Grip ‘n’ Groove technology intended to improve aerodynamics. However, players and goalkeepers alike found it unpredictable.

Spain’s Iker Casillas said:

“It’s sad that such an important competition has a ball of such poor quality.”

Brazil’s Julio Cesar described it as:

“Horrible… like the balls you buy in a supermarket.”

Despite the criticism, some players adapted well to the Jabulani. Uruguay’s Diego Forlan, who practiced extensively with it before the tournament, thrived—scoring five goals, winning the Golden Ball, and Goal of the Tournament.

At the elite level, footballs change depending on the competition:

• Premier League: Nike Flight

• Carabao Cup: Puma Orbita 1

• Champions League: Adidas Finale

• FA Cup: Mitre Ultimax Pro

While the differences may seem small, players often highlight significant variations in how balls spin, swerve, and grip the surface.

Adam Le Fondre, former Reading and Cardiff City striker, noted:

“Mitre balls felt heavier and more like cannonballs compared to the Nike balls used in the Premier League. The Nike balls felt lighter and easier to strike cleanly.”

The Premier League ball’s design prioritizes controlled swerve and true flight, while the Puma Orbita 1 emphasizes aerodynamic stability—subtle distinctions but critical for elite players who train with one ball consistently.

Football is a sport where muscle memory and familiarity play a critical role.

Elite players spend countless hours training with specific equipment. When even minor alterations occur, it can disrupt muscle memory and timing.

Arteta’s frustration could partly stem from this psychological adjustment. If Arsenal’s squad trained primarily with the Nike Flight, a sudden shift to the Puma Orbita 1 could have impacted confidence and execution—especially in a high-pressure semi-final.

Arteta’s comments might seem like a deflection after a poor result, but the science behind ball design suggests his concerns shouldn’t be dismissed outright.

• Yes, Balls Matter: Differences in construction can affect shot accuracy, flight paths, and swerve.

• Elite-Level Margins: Small differences can feel exaggerated in high-pressure situations.

• Adaptation Time: Arsenal may not have had enough time to adjust to the Carabao Cup ball.

However, Newcastle had no such issues, and Arsenal’s previous rounds didn’t seem impacted by the ball switch. Ultimately, preparation and mentality may have played a bigger role.

With Puma set to become the official Premier League ball supplier from the 2025-26 season, Arteta’s team will need to adapt—sooner rather than later.