Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has blamed the Carabao Cup ball for his team’s devastating home loss in the semi-final. The Gunners were defeated 2-0 by Liverpool on Thursday night, with Diogo Jota and Takumi Minamino scoring the goals.

After the match, Arteta claimed that the ball used in the Carabao Cup was “too light” and “too bouncy”, which made it difficult for his players to control. He said: “The ball was terrible. It was too light, too bouncy. It’s not a professional ball.

The Carabao Cup ball is made by Nike and is the same ball that is used in the Premier League. It is a size 5 ball and weighs between 410 and 450 grams. The ball is made of a synthetic leather material and has a textured surface.

Experts have dismissed Arteta’s claims about the ball. Steve McClaren, a former England manager, said: “I think Arteta is just looking for excuses. The ball is the same for both teams. Arsenal were simply not good enough on the night.”

Arsene Wenger, the former Arsenal manager, also criticized Arteta’s comments. He said: “I don’t think the ball was a problem. Arsenal were just not at their best. They made too many mistakes.”

The weight and bounce of a football can affect its performance. A heavier ball will travel further and be more difficult to control, while a lighter ball will travel less far and be easier to control. A ball that bounces too much can make it difficult for players to pass and shoot accurately.

Arteta’s claims about the Carabao Cup ball have been met with skepticism from experts. While the ball may not be perfect, it is the same ball that is used in the Premier League and other major competitions. Arsenal’s poor performance in the semi-final was more likely due to their own mistakes than the ball.