Premier League Introduces New Ball Inspired by Thierry Henry, Fans Question: ‘Did Arteta Approve?’
THE Premier League has celebrated its Barclays heritage by revealing a new ball inspired by the iconic “Thierry Henry-style”.
This ball draws its design from the legendary Nike Total 90 footballs of previous eras and will debut when Aston Villa competes against Liverpool on Wednesday.
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winter ball for the remainder of the season, marking a stylish end to Nike’s 25 years in ball production.
Puma is set to take over as the official ball supplier for the Premier League starting with the 2025-26 season.
Meanwhile, fans have humorously suggested that the Premier League should “consult Mikel Arteta first” following the Arsenal manager’s complaints last month.
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Arteta voiced concerns about the “tricky” Puma ball used in the EFL for the Carabao Cup, suggesting it may have affected his team’s shooting accuracy in a 2-0 loss to Newcastle in the semi-finals.
The Spanish manager noted that the Puma balls “fly a lot,” stating, “there’s definitely areas for improvement.”
When asked for additional comments, Arsenal’s boss remarked: “It’s simply different. It’s a lot different from a Premier League ball.
“You need to adapt as the flight varies.
“The grip also feels significantly distinct, so adjustments are necessary.”
Fans have seized the opportunity of the new Nike ball’s announcement to poke fun at Arteta.
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One fan humorously commented on X: “Someone should give it to Arteta and Arsenal to ensure it flies straight.”
Another added: “Please make sure Arteta has approved it first.”
The Premier League has utilized Nike balls since 2000, but a contractual disagreement has resulted in a switch to Puma next season for a deal regarded as “lucrative”.
SunSport has learned that a precise version of the Carabao Cup ball has already been crafted and sanctioned as the new Premier League model, despite multiple managers expressing grievances about it this season.