Goalkeeper David Raya of Arsenal provides an unusual justification for surrendering Dominik Szoboszlai's spectacular free-kick during their loss to Liverpool.

In the fast-paced world of football, changes in equipment can sometimes make a significant impact. This season, the Premier League has introduced a new official ball supplier - PUMA - replacing Nike, who had been the supplier for 20 years. The new PUMA Orbita Ultimate PL ball, unveiled ahead of the new season, boasts several design improvements, such as enlarged and deeper seams to improve aerodynamics and maintain shape retention. However, these changes have not gone unnoticed by some of the league's players.

Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, voiced his concerns last season following Arsenal's Carabao Cup exit against Newcastle. Arteta stated that Arsenal kicked a lot of balls over the bar due to the tricky nature of the Puma balls. Despite leading Arsenal to an FA Cup win and other trophies, Arteta is not specifically noted in the sources for criticizing Puma balls during a Carabao Cup loss against Newcastle.

More recently, Arteta's goalkeeper, David Raya, expressed similar sentiments. In an interview on Sky Sports, Raya stated that the grip and kicking of the new Puma balls are different compared to the Nike balls. He attributed the concession of Dominik Szoboszlai's free-kick to difficulty in judging the flight due to the new Puma balls. The free-kick was struck from 30 yards out and was the only goal of the game between Arsenal and Liverpool, resulting in a 1-0 defeat for Arsenal.

Raya's comments echo the concerns of other goalkeepers in the league. The new Puma balls are causing goalkeepers to adapt, according to Raya. The Premier League has also highlighted the ball's features, such as the 12 evenly sized panels for precise weight distribution and the high-frequency moulding ensuring long-lasting durability.

Despite the challenges posed by the new balls, Arsenal have managed to secure six points out of a possible nine, with the defeat to Liverpool having come after victories against Manchester United and Leeds. Liverpool's victory over Arsenal maintained their winning start to the season.

As the league progresses, it will be interesting to see how teams and players continue to adapt to the new PUMA Orbita Ultimate PL ball. The debate over its effect on gameplay is likely to continue, with both players and fans keeping a keen eye on its impact.