The Port Vale vs Arsenal clash should be an entertaining clash as the Gunners look to get back to winning ways when they face the League One side in the third round of the 2025/26 Carabao Cup clash on Wednesday, 24 September.
The Gunners are likely to heavily rotate their squad for this upcoming match, but will still be determined to put on an entertaining show for their fans and produce a thrilling display against the League One side.
Port Vale vs Arsenal Match Details
Vale Park
Stoke-on-Trent, England
24 September
Kickoff 7 PM GMT
A Fierce David vs Goliath Battle Set for Carabao Cup Third Round
The Port Vale vs Arsenal clash will be a battle between one of the best teams in England (in Arsenal) facing off against a team struggling in the lower places of the League One table, making it a bit of a mismatch in terms of the squads of the two teams.
Arsenal are heading into this match after having won three of their five Premier League matches so far in the 2025-26 campaign and being in third place in the table as well. They were recently held to a cagey 1-1 draw by Manchester City thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s equaliser, and now they look to get their winning momentum back with a clinical display against Port Vale.
Facing off against Arsenal was probably the toughest thing that Port Vale could’ve anticipated in the third round of the Carabao Cup. They are currently in 19th place in the EFL League One table after nine matches, having only been able to win two of those.
Port Vale have to hope for a miracle and an incredibly fierce performance to have a chance of pulling off an impressive upset in this match.
Can Max Dowman Create History For Arsenal?
There is a strong chance that Max Dowman gets to feature prominently for Arsenal in their upcoming Carabao Cup clash against Port Vale. The 15-year-old winger has already played for the Gunners this season and produced some notable performances.
Fortunately for Dowman, this game against the League One side can be an ideal platform for himself to etch his name in the history book of Arsenal.
Dowman has the chance to become Arsenal’s youngest-ever goalscorer. The record is currently held by Cesc Fabregas, who set the record by scoring for Arsenal in a League Cup game against Wolves in 2003, when he was just 16 years and six months.
Dowman isn’t even 16 yet, and he could set a new record against Port Vale. He already has 20 goals for Arsenal’s under-18 side, and will need to be clinical in front of goal and pounce on any major chance he receives to score against Port Vale and set a new record.
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How Can Port Vale Pull Off An Upset Against Arsenal?
Port Vale will need to produce something truly special to have a chance of eliminating Arsenal from the Carabao Cup third round and progressing further in the tournament. The League One side face a team which has only conceded two goals so far in the 2025/26 season and boasts one of the strongest defensive setups in Europe.
The Port Vale players need to look towards maintaining a sturdy defensive shape to have a chance of sustaining themselves against Arsenal.
Moreover, they will need to take a lesson from Manchester City in being rapid and clinical on the counter-attack to have a chance of destabilising the Gunners and getting a positive result.
Port Vale vs Arsenal Key Injuries
Port Vale injuries: Mo Fael
Arsenal injuries: Martin Odegaard, Piero Hincapie, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke
Port Vale vs Arsenal Predicted Lineups
Due to the sheer importance of the match, both Mikel Arteta and Darren Moore will be will be determined to field their strongest lineups in the Port Vale vs Arsenal clash.
Here, we look at the possible lineups for Port Vale vs Arsenal:
Port Vale Predicted XI: Joe Gauci (GK), Jesse Debrah, Cameron Humphreys, Connor Hall, Jordan Gabriel, Ronan Curtis, George Byers, Ben Garrity, Liam Gordon, Ruari Paton, Devante Cole
Arsenal Predicted XI: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhaes, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Christian Norgaard, Mikel Merino, Max Dowman, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Visionhaus
Recording Date: 23.08.2025