The English Football League (EFL) has defended the ball used in the League Cup after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said it "flies differently" from those used in the Premier League.

It was a first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal for Arsenal to forget as Alexander Isak's goal and assist powered Newcastle United to a 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium, but while Mikel Arteta gave Newcastle credit for their performance,

Premier League title hopefuls Arsenal welcome northern opposition to the capital tonight as Mikel Arteta's Gunners play host to Eddie Howe's Newcastle United. An in-form Magpies outfit will no doubt be fancying their chances at the Emirates against an Arsenal side stripped of star man Bukayo Saka as well as a number of injury issues across the first team.

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.

Here are the live streaming, timings, venue and predicted XIs for the upcoming Arsenal Vs Newcastle United, EFL Cup semi-final 1st leg

Having just seen his side lose at home for the first time this season, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta remained in defiant mood.

Mikel Arteta has suggested Arsenal's failure to adapt to the Carabao Cup ball was a factor in Tuesday's 2-0 semifinal, first leg defeat to Newcastle United.

Newcastle United have taken control of the EFL Cup semi-final fixture against Arsenal as high-flying Alexander Isak inspired a 2-0 victory in the first-leg at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal put pressure on the visiting Newcastle but failed to convert their chances from set-pieces.

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.