"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.

Arsenal have been dealt a slight curveball ahead of their clash against Manchester United. Mikel Arteta will lock horns with Ruben Amorim at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday as they both look to book a place in the FA Cup fourth round.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta blamed the match ball for his team's loss to Newcastle United last night, joining in the long list of his weird excuses.

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.

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.

Mikel Arteta reacts to Arsenal's 2-0 loss to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semifinal first leg.

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta appeared to blame the ball for their Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle. Carabao Cup hit back at the Gunners boss with a cheeky post.

The Gunners have lacked a cutting edge in attack, with Newcastle punishing them to grasp control of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday