Former Tottenham striker Gary Lineker has aimed a slight jab at Mikel Arteta over recent complaints at Arsenal over the match ball.
It comes following a defeat to Newcastle in the EFL Cup, where the Gunners were unable to unpick the Magpies and take a 2-0 defeat into the second leg.
Arteta spoke about the EFL Cup ball after the game when asked about the difference between it and those used in other competitions.
Many took that as a potential complaint or an excuse from the manager, due to Arsenal losing, leading to plenty of discussion over it.
With the FA Cup ball representing another change for the Gunners, it has been a talking point once again.
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Gary Lineker aims jab at Mikel Arteta over Arsenal ball comments
With the talk over the EFL Cup ball being such a point for discussion, it has put all eyes on the following FA Cup tie.
There is another change in ball, which Arsenal have used in training during the week to get used to it, but that hasn’t stopped the talk over it.
Gary Lineker aimed a small jab at Mikel Arteta when he said on the BBC’s Match of the Day during the clash against Manchester United: “I’ve got more bad news for Arsenal fans, you know obviously Arteta complained in midweek about the match ball. There’s another different brand today, not Premier League…”
Former Arsenal star Theo Walcott chipped in to respond: “Ah ok, so these players would’ve adapted to the ball throughout the week.
“I always used to get excited about a new ball but I understand his point but it’s deflective from the performance as well.”
It shows the way the discussion has been focused on, despite it being a small part of the press conference from the manager.
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No excuses for Arsenal in season review
By the end of the season, there can be no excuses for where Arsenal end up, but there can be reasons for their struggles.
Injuries have been unkind to them and there may be questions over the refereeing, but there also has to be an honest review of the performance levels as a whole.
Mikel Arteta will have to be totally reflective in where the team needs to improve, not least with the forward-thinking options in his team.
Only then will Arsenal be able to move forward and get closer to being the team they want to be at the end.
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