Arsenal have sealed their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup tonight. Mikel Arteta, as expected, has rung the changes, handing a number of youngsters and fringe players a chance to shine as his side beat League One outfit Port Vale 2-0 at Vale Park.
Arteta is keen to end the Gunners' trophy drought this season, though with a trip to Newcastle at the weekend, he saw Wednesday evening’s game as an opportunity to give the likes of Christian Norgaard, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly some minutes, while there was also a competitive debut for summer signing Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal.
Port Vale, who took Arsenal all the way to penalties the last time the two teams met in the FA Cup third round 27 years ago, beat Blackpool and Birmingham to advance in this competition but conceded early and late on to Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard to suffer an exit. Follow the game back below with Standard Sport's dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Simon Collings at the ground!
Port Vale vs Arsenal latest news
- GOAL! Trossard doubles Arsenal's advantage
- GOAL! Eze gives Arsenal an early lead
FULL-TIME
21:51 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePort Vale 0-2 Arsenal
Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal
21:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90 min: Into four minutes of stoppage time.
GOAL! Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal | Leandro Trossard ‘85
21:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne85 min: GOALLL
Leandro Trossard is off the bench and onto the scoresheet, fine finish from the Belgian after collecting William Saliba’s long pass.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
21:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne81 min: Desperately unlucky for Clark as he is replaced by Ojo. The Port Vale man was a second half substitute himself.
Double change for Arsenal too as Martinelli and Eze make way for Trossard and Rice.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
21:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne79 min: CHANCE!
Dowman with a lovely first time dink over the top to set Gyokeres free but Humphreys produces a goal-saving challenge to keep Port Vale in this cup tie.
Simon Collings at Vale Park
21:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThis second half has been a tough watch.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
21:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne77 min: Arsenal almost their own worst enemy as Kepa’s pass into Nwaneri is cut out and Cole takes aim from range but his effort is just too high.
That’s twice in quick succession that the Gunners have lost the ball cheaply in dangerous areas.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
21:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne75 min: Loose pass from Mosquera puts Arsenal in trouble but he is bailed out by his team-mates.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
21:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne71 min: Arsenal respond with a double change of their own as Gyokeres and Gabriel replace Merino and White.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
21:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne70 min: Port Vale supporters are sensing something here.
Another double change follows as Paton and Curtis make way Stockley and Cole
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
21:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne68 min: Norgaard’s long throw is cleared as far to White who can’t resist a shot which flies over the bar.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
21:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne65 min: Double Port Vale change.
OFF: Hall and Gabriel
ON: Garrity and Clark
Simon Collings at Vale Park
21:21 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal fans singing to Dowman: "He's got school in the morning."
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
21:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne62 min: Nwaneri has a shot blocked after a long period of possession from Arsenal.
First Gunners change of the night as Max Dowman replaces Bukayo Saka.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
21:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne58 min: Teasing ball from Nwaneri looking for Saka but Headley reads the pass and gets back to concede a corner.
Saka swings the ball in, Mosquera attacks it at the near post but his flick goes out of play and Port Vale are awarded a goal-kick.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
21:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne56 min: Attendance watch here at Vale Park: 16, 326.
Simon Collings at Vale Park
21:12 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSurely won't be long before Arteta hooks Saka, here. One bad tackle and Arsenal have an injury crisis on the right flank.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
21:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne54 min: Curtis and Norgaard contest an aerial duel and the Port Vale midfielder comes off worse.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
21:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne51 min: Encouraging signs for Port Vale with these set-pieces, a couple of times now they have won first contact but just haven’t been able to win the second ball.
Concern for Arsenal now as Saka comes off worse in a challenge with Walters who did win the ball.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
21:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne48 min: Slightly nervy start to the half for Arsenal as Mosquera heads the ball out for a throw-in. Every Arsenal player back to defend this, Curtis flicks the ball on but the Gunners clear.
Visitors straight on the counter by Gauci races off his line and gets to the ball before Martinelli.
KICK-OFF!
21:02 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBack underway at Vale Park.
No changes from either side.
Carabao Cup latest scores
20:57 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHuddersfield 0-1 Man City
Newcastle 2-0 Bradford
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
Eze goal
20:56 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneA really composed finish from Eberechi Eze to give Arsenal the lead.
Slick football from Arsenal!
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 24, 2025
Eberechi Eze gets his first goal for the club! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/KipQbsWAIf
Simon Collings at Vale Park
20:47 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneA good half for the Gunners, overall. Arsenal started brightly and deservedly took the lead through a lovely move, which was finished by Eze.
They have continued to dominate possession since then, but credit to Port Vale - who have dug in. Eze denied a second by a good save.
HALF-TIME
20:46 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePort Vale 0-1 Arsenal
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
20:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45 min: Board goes up...
Just the one minute of added time.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
20:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne44 min: Norgaard has a shot blocked from inside the Port Vale area as we tick towards the end of the half.
Simon Collings at Vale Park
20:42 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePort Vale's first bit of pressure and it has woken the home fans up. They don't want half-time all of a sudden.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
20:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne41 min: Decent spell from Port Vale as they lump the ball into Arsenal’s box a couple of times, but Mosquera is there to meet everything.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
20:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne40 min: Lewis-Skelly is not endearing himself to the Port Vale fans with the time it takes for him to throw the ball back into play.
He does, however, concede a corner from which the hosts threaten an equaliser but Arsenal manage to clear their lines. Big block from Eze in there.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
20:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne38 min: Those Arsenal attacks were just a gentle reminder to Port Vale that the Gunners can move through the gears at will.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
20:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne35 min: Great play by Arsenal down the right as Nwaneri rides a challenge and drives forward into the area, he squares for Merino but the Spaniard is crowded out and Port Vale clear.
Straight away, Merino slides in Eze who takes an early shot but Gauci makes a fine save.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
20:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne33 min: Hall does really well to win the ball off Eze in the middle, hosts are able to patiently build an attack but a cross into the box is comfortably dealt with by Mosquera.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
20:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne30 min: Curtis struggling briefly, but should be fine to continue for Port Vale.
Break in play does allow Darren Moore to get a message across to his players.
Simon Collings at Vale Park
20:27 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFair play to Port Vale, who while being under the cosh, have not folded. Have to wonder how long before they really start to tire, though.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
20:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne23 min: Saliba moves the ball through into midfield and Arsenal are away, Merino lacks pace to get away with his marker and the attack eventually breaks down when Martinelli overhits a cross.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
20:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne20 min: Headley is having to do a lot of work down Port Vale’s left. Arsenal are targeting his side for attacks, but the wing-back is coping fairly well at the moment.
Simon Collings at Vale Park
20:18 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal have had over 80 per cent possession in the first half. Relentless one-way traffic.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
20:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne17 min: A long period of possession for Arsenal as they probe the Port Vale defence in search of a second goal. White looks for Saka in behind by Headley does well to put the ball out for a corner.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
20:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne14 min: White forces his way through down the right and goes dow in the box under a challenge from Headley. No penalty is awarded, nor do Arsenal get a corner.
Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
20:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne11 min: Almost a second for Arsenal as Nwaneri cuts in onto his left foot but his shot takes a deflection and goes out for a corner instead.
Simon Collings at Vale Park
20:09 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEze's first goal for Arsenal and he won't score many easier ones. Arsenal knocking the ball around with real authority.
GOAL! Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal | Eberechi Eze ‘7
20:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne7 min: GOALLLL
Eberechi Eze scores his first Arsenal goal as he rounds off a slick passing move with a simple side-foot finish.
Port Vale 0-0 Arsenal
20:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne6 min: Saka gets to the byline and clips a cross to the back post, Lewis-Skelly looks to attack the ball but Gabriel makes a timely clearance.
Arsenal straight back on the attack as Martinelli puts the ball in the box but Port Vale defend it well.
Simon Collings at Vale Park
20:04 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThere's something oddly comforting about being in Stoke and seeing someone take a long throw.
Port Vale 0-0 Arsenal
20:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne3 min: Merino has started through the middle for Arsenal, this means Eze and Nwaneri are in midfield ahead of Norgaard.
Port Vale 0-0 Arsenal
20:01 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne1 min: First Port Vale attack comes from a long throw as Gabriel launches the ball into the box but Mosquera heads it away from danger.
KICK-OFF!
20:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are underway in this Carabao Cup third round tie!
Simon Collings at Vale Park
19:57 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe teams walk out to 'Let Me Entertain You', surely not a handbrake gag?
HERE WE GO!
19:56 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe two teams have emerged from the tunnel at Vale Park, this can mean only one thing...
Kick-off is next!
Arsenal absentees
19:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal are without Martin Odegaard, Piero Hincapie, Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz tonight.
Port Vale vs Arsenal live
19:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePreparations done, kick-off is fast approaching at Vale Park!
Norgaard speaks
19:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChristian Norgaard spoke to Sky Sports upon arriving at Vale Park, the midfielder made it clear that the Carabao Cup is high on Arsenal's list of priorities this season!
"Every tournament this club participates in is about winning" 🏆
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 24, 2025
Christian Norgaard says that Arsenal will not be overlooking their opponents today 💪 pic.twitter.com/ghQBmpjpSF
Simon Collings at Vale Park
19:41 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal warming up with: Norgaard as the No6, Eze left No8 and Nwaneri right No8.
Handbrake off?
Not long now!
19:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are less than 20 minutes away from kick-off at Vale Park as Port Vale and Arsenal do battle for a place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Simon Collings at Vale Park
19:38 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal going through the final stages of their warm-up.
Interestingly, Dowman is the one substitute who has spent it all with the starting XI. Surely some minutes for him tonight, then.
Port Vale vs Arsenal live
19:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is an interesting bit of trivia!
Port Vale vs. Arsenal.
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) September 24, 2025
The only two teams in the English football league not named after a place.
How's that for a niche derby. Cue a Carabao Cup classic.
[@will_jeanes] pic.twitter.com/n8xcsVa0Ej
Team news reminder
19:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is how both teams will line-up tonight.
Port Vale XI: Gauci; Hall, Humphreys, Debrah; Gabriel, Croasdale, Walters, Hall, Headley; Curtis, Paton.
Substitutes: Marosi, Clark, Heneghan, Byers, Garrity, Stockley, Ojo, Faal, Cole.
Arsenal XI: Kepa, White, Saliba, Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Merino, Nwaneri, Saka, Martinelli, Eze.
Substitutes: Raya, Gabriel, Timber, Gyokeres, Trossard, Zubimendi, Calafiori, Rice, Dowman.
Last time Arsenal visited Vale Park
19:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJanuary 14, 1998 was the date.
FA Cup third round was the competition and Arsenal needed a penalty shootout in a replay to overcome Port Vale on their last trip to Vale Park.
Vintage Dennis Bergkamp ™️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 24, 2025
⏪ The Iceman sprinkled some of his magic during our last meeting with Port Vale in 1998... pic.twitter.com/Yg0isOvdvR
Simon Collings at Vale Park
19:24 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTrying to work out if it is more 'handbrake off' from Arteta.
Eze and Nwaneri as two No8s in midfield or Martinelli upfront?
Simon Collings at Vale Park
19:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJust queued for my complimentary hot dog from a kiosk in the stand - and overheard a few Port Vale fans discussing the Arsenal team.
"Saka AND Eze, quiet night then," said one of them.
Arsenal dressing room
19:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBehind the scenes at Vale Park as the Arsenal dressing room is prepared ahead of kick-off.
Simon Collings at Vale Park
19:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSimon Collings is in position for us at Vale Park and he has delivered his thoughts on the Arsenal team news.
🗣 "Mikel Arteta has gone STRONG."@sr_collings gives his thoughts on the Arsenal team news!
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) September 24, 2025
LIVE: https://t.co/5wwxd9N7Qf#PVLARS | #EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/5HJ0XBzpEH
Arsenal changes
19:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneA very strong team selected by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta this evening.
Nine changes from the team that started the 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the weekend as only William Saliba and Mikel Merino keep their places.
The big news is that Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka both start, while Kepa makes his competitive debut.
Port Vale team in full
19:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePort Vale XI: Gauci; Headley, Hall, Gabriel, Curtis, Walters, Paton, Croasdale, Debrah, Humphreys, Hall
Substitutes: Marosi, Clark, Heneghan, Byers, Garrity, Stockley, Ojo, Faal, Cole
Arsenal team in full
18:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal XI: Kepa, White, Saliba, Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Merino, Nwaneri, Saka, Martinelli, Eze.
Substitutes: Raya, Gabriel, Timber, Gyokeres, Trossard, Zubimendi, Calafiori, Rice, Dowman.
CONFIRMED ARSENAL TEAM NEWS
18:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLining up for the Gunners this evening...
🔵 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔘
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 24, 2025
🧤 Kepa between the sticks
🆕 Norgaard makes full debut
©️ Saka skippers the side
Let's get our cup run off to a winning start, Gunners 👊
CONFIRMED PORT VALE TEAM NEWS
18:48 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is how the home side will line-up for the Carabao Cup tie...
TEAM NEWS 📰
— Port Vale Football Club (@OfficialPVFC) September 24, 2025
Your Valiants to take on the Gunners this evening!#PVFC | @TheTurmericCo pic.twitter.com/qxtcwJjLCG
Team news imminent
18:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTeam news from Vale Park is on the way.
Will Max Dowman make his first competitive start for Arsenal? Find out shortly...
Arteta challenges Lewis-Skelly
18:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMyles Lewis-Skelly made 39 appearances for Arsenal last season - the most by a player aged 18 or under since Cesc Fabregas in 2005-06.
This season, however, his 66 minutes have come only across three substitute appearances.
The left-back is primed to change that tonight by starting at League One side Port Vale in the third round of the Carabao Cup, and Mikel Arteta has laid down the gauntlet for the England international to reclaim his place in the team from Riccardo Calafiori.
Arteta tells Dowman to follow Saka example
18:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal boss Mikel Arteta has told Max Dowman to learn from Bukayo Saka about how to deal with being targeted by opposition defenders, writes Simon Collings.
Dowman is just 15 years old, but he has already come off the bench twice for Arsenal’s first team this season.
Dowman has long been tipped for the top and he has routinely played in higher age groups, making his debut for England’s Under-19s earlier this month.
The attacking midfielder was targeted by Spain’s left-back in that game and has been in the past when playing for Arsenal’s youth sides.
Arteta has warned Dowman such treatment will come with his talent - and has urged him to learn from Saka about how to deal with it.
Click here for Arteta's full quotes!
Madueke injury latest
18:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMikel Arteta has confirmed that Noni Madueke faces weeks on the sidelines.
Scans on Monday showed Madueke has not suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury but the setback for the £48.5million signing represents a major blow for Arsenal.
Madueke has made an encouraging start since his summer move from Chelsea but is now set for a spell on the sidelines.
When is the Carabao Cup fourth-round draw?
18:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe draw for the fourth round of the Carabao Cup takes place tonight.
Chelsea and Liverpool secured a spot in the next round with wins on Tuesday and Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City will hope to join them when the third-round ties conclude tonight.
Here’s everything you need to know about the draw for the Carabao Cup fourth round!
Predicted Arsenal XI
18:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGoalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga could make his debut in goal after joining from Chelsea in the summer.
Myles Lewis-Skelly will hope to make a first start of the season at left-back, with Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera also set to come into the defence.
Summer signing Christian Norgaard should make his full debut at the base of midfield and Ethan Nwaneri is expected to start ahead of him, possibly alongside Mikel Merino.
In attack, Gabriel Martinelli should feature from the beginning after two goals off the bench last week.
Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Norgaard, Merino; Dowman, Trossard, Martinelli.
Saka to feature for Arsenal
18:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBukayo Saka is set to feature when Arsenal face Port Vale, writes Simon Collings.
Mikel Arteta has explained how the winger “needs minutes” after just returning from a hamstring injury.
Saka injured his hamstring last month during Arsenal’s win over Leeds and he has been out of action for four weeks.
The England star returned last Sunday, coming off the bench at half-time against Manchester City, and he is due to feature again when Arsenal face Port Vale in third round of the Carabao Cup.
Today's settings
18:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCarabao Cup football at Vale Park!
Port Vale vs Arsenal latest match odds
18:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePort Vale to win: 16/1
Arsenal to win: 1/10
Draw: 11/2
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Head to head (h2h) history and results
17:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThese two have not faced each other since 1998, where Arsenal actually needed penalties to sneak past Vale in a FA Cup third round replay.
Port Vale wins: 4
Arsenal wins: 13
Draws: 5
Score prediction
17:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePort Vale sit 19th in League One but have won their last two league games and will hope that they can continue that mini-run of good form to trouble Arsenal.
That will be unlikely though and the Gunners should progress comfortably.
Arsenal to win, 4-0.
Arsenal team news
17:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNoni Madueke is the latest Arsenal player to pick up an injury, joining Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz on the sidelines.
New signing Piero Hincapie is also out with a groin problem, but Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected make his first competitive appearance for the Gunners in goal.
There could be starts for Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Christian Norgaard.
Port Vale team news
17:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePort Vale have forward Mo Faal back after he made his return from the bench in the 2-1 win over Mansfield Town after a hamstring issue.
Manager Darren Moore is sweating the fitness of midfielder Liam Gordon, but will be without the injured Mitch Clark and Kyle John.
How to watch
17:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live Sky Sports. Build-up to the game begins at 7pm BST on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra HDR ahead of the 8pm kick-off.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can catch the contest live online, via the Sky Go app.
Live blog: You can follow all the action via Standard Sport’s dedicated live match blog!
Port Vale vs Arsenal live
17:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Port Vale vs Arsenal!
Can Arsenal continue their solid start to the season and avoid an upset? Mikel Arteta's side are heavy favourites to overcome the League One side and reach the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm BST from Vale Park Stick with us!
