Arsenal’s Carabao Cup Journey Begins
Arsenal is set to kick off its Carabao Cup journey with an away match against Port Vale on Wednesday night, following a closely contested Premier League match against Manchester City last weekend. The Gunners managed to secure a late 1-1 draw, thanks to a pivotal injury-time goal by Gabriel Martinelli. Coach Mikel Arteta made history by becoming the first manager to remain unbeaten in five consecutive encounters against legendary rival Pep Guardiola.
Squad Updates and Injury Concerns
This season, Arsenal has significantly bolstered its squad depth, a development that is especially beneficial given the injury challenges faced early on. Although Bukayo Saka made his return to action against City, the team suffered a setback with midfielder Noni Madueke set to miss up to two months due to a knee injury sustained in that match. Key players like Martin Ødegaard and Piero Hincapié are doubtful for the upcoming match, while Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz will also miss out due to their respective injuries. With a demanding fixture against Newcastle approaching, Arteta is expected to rotate his squad, providing a chance for youngsters such as 15-year-old Max Dowman to showcase their talents.
Port Vale’s Recent Form
On the other hand, Port Vale, having recently ascended to League One, struggled initially, failing to secure a victory in their first seven matches. However, they have turned their form around, achieving back-to-back wins against struggling Blackpool and Championship side Birmingham City in the Cup, which has given their coach Darren Moore some relief. Among their emerging talents, Devante Cole—son of former Manchester United star Andy Cole—has been a standout performer, contributing significantly with three goals and an assist since arriving at the club on deadline day.
Historical Context
Historically, Arsenal and Port Vale have faced each other primarily in FA Cup fixtures, with their last notable encounter in 1998 finishing as a goalless draw before Arsenal triumphed in a penalty shootout in the replay.
Match Details
For those looking to catch the action, the match details are as follows:
- Date: Wednesday, September 24 at 8 p.m. BST (3 p.m. ET; 12:30 a.m. IST on Thursday; 5 a.m. AEST on Thursday)
- Venue: Vale Park, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent
- Referee: Andrew Kitchen
- VAR: Not in operation
Injury Updates
In terms of squad updates, Port Vale is facing some injury dilemmas with defenders Liam Gordon and Mitchell Clark uncertain for the match, while Kyle John is ruled out with a muscle injury.
Arsenal’s injury list includes Kai Havertz (knee), Gabriel Jesus (ACL), and Noni Madueke (knee), with the return dates for the latter two pushed into late December and late November, respectively. Martin Ødegaard‘s participation remains uncertain due to a shoulder concern, along with Piero Hincapié, who is dealing with a knock.
Looking Ahead
Both teams’ expected lineups highlight Arsenal’s depth with their strong formation choices, as they aim for success in a tournament they last clinched in 1993, having only celebrated two cup victories in their history. Meanwhile, Port Vale will look to defy the odds against their highly reputed opposition.
Where to Watch
For live coverage, tune in via Sky Sports in the UK, Paramount+ in the United States, FanCode in India, and beIN Sport in Australia. ESPN will also be providing live updates throughout the match.
