Arsenal are unbeaten in nine meetings with Port Vale, albeit in their sole encounters since 1927, the Gunners required a penalty shootout to win a third round FA Cup replay, en route to winning the double under Arsène Wenger. The Valiants' most-recent victory over the Gunners came in 1901.
Port Vale vs Arsenal preview
Amazingly, Arsenal have only ever won the League Cup twice, lifting the trophy aloft in 1987 and 1993. Since, they've lost in three finals and seven semi-finals, demolished 4-0 on aggregate by Newcastle in the last four back in January, but will this be the start of a run to Wembley?
Mikel Arteta is under pressure to end Arsenal's six-year wait for silverware, and his team have made a mixed start to this season. On Sunday, the Gunners required a stoppage time equaliser from Gabriel Martinelli to salvage a 1-1 draw with an ultra-defensive Manchester City. Having lost at Anfield last month, this means they've dropped five points already, making Sunday's trip to St James' Park, which has very much been a graveyard in recent seasons, must win, even at this early juncture. Before then, will Arsenal book their place in the Carabao Cup fourth round with victory in Stoke-on-Trent?
As for Port Vale, they were actually Carabao Cup quarter-finalists just two seasons ago, ousted by Middlesbrough, but that's the only other time they've got this far since 2009/10. Well, having enjoyed 1-0 away wins over both Blackpool and Birmingham, they've been rewarded with this glamour tie, with Vale Park braced for the highest attendance it has witnessed in almost three decades.
Darren Moore's team won promotion from EFL League Two last season, but made a miserable start to life back in the third-tier, collecting just two points from their first seven fixtures. Well, more recently, the Valiants have enjoyed back-to-back victories, winning 2-0 at Exeter, before a 2-1 home win over Mansfield on Saturday. Devante Cole, son of Hale End academy graduate Andy, scoring in both. So now, can Port Vale cause a massive shock, or will Arsenal prove to be simply too strong at Vale Park?
Port Vale vs Arsenal head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 22.
- Port Vale Wins: 4. Draws: 5. Arsenal Wins: 13.
Arsenal team news
With Sunday's crucial trip to Tyneside in mind, Mikel Arteta will heavily rotate at Vale Park.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will make his debut in goal, while there's likely to be first Arsenal starts for both Piero Hincapié and Christian Nørgaard; the former is expected to be fit, despite having missed Sunday's match due to a slight knock.
In less good news, Noni Madueke suffered a knee injury against Manchester City, the severity of which is currently unknown, but he'll definitely miss this one, joining Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines. In better news, William Saliba and Bukayo Saka both returned at the weekend, while Benjamin White was an unused substitute, having not been seen since the opening day at Old Trafford due to injury, set to change that fact here.
Lastly, having made his first-ever start for the under-21s on Saturday, scoring against Wolves, Max Dowman could start here. Chris Rigg is currently the youngest scorer in EFL Cup history, but 15 year old Dowman would obliterate that record should he find the target at Vale Park.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Port Vale: (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga, White, Mosquera, Hincapié, Lewis-Skelly; Nørgaard, Merino, Nwaneri; Dowman, Martinelli, Trossard.
Arsenal players to watch vs Port Vale
After both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli scored off the bench in Bilbao last mid-week, the Belgian earned a start against Manchester City, while the Brazilian came off the bench and made another telling contribution on Sunday. The pair could well start at Vale Park. with Trossard chosen as the central striker, so will either do enough to stake a claim ahead of the trip to Newcastle?
Port Vale vs Arsenal prediction
Arsenal beat Bolton 5-1 and Preston 3-0 in the EFL Cup last season, and we're forecasting a similar outcome at Vale Park on Wednesday, with the Gunners likely to easy through: Port Vale 0-3 Arsenal.
Port Vale vs Arsenal FAQs - Carabao Cup
How to watch Port Vale vs Arsenal in the Carabao Cup on TV channel?
Port Vale vs Arsenal in the Carabao Cup will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Sky Sports Main Event & Ultra HD.
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Port Vale vs Arsenal in the Carabao Cup on live streaming?
Port Vale vs Arsenal in the Carabao Cup will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: SkyGo & NOW TV.
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Port Vale vs Arsenal in the Carabao Cup?
Port Vale vs Arsenal takes place on Wednesday 24 September 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (BST), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PDT).