Port Vale vs Arsenal Lineups: Starting XI, Score & Highlights

For Arsenal fans, Carabao Cup ties often mean a chance to see fringe players and young talent — and Wednesday night at Vale Park delivered exactly that. Mikel Arteta’s rotated side edged past Port Vale 2-0, with Eberechi Eze scoring his first goal for the club in the 8th minute.

Match Date: September 24, 2025 ·
Competition: Carabao Cup ·
Venue: Vale Park ·
Final Score: Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal ·
Arsenal Goalscorer: Eberechi Eze

Eight facts tell the story of the night at Vale Park.

What were the starting lineups for Port Vale vs Arsenal?

Two teams, two sets of starters: Arteta gave minutes to several squad players, while Darren Moore stuck with a familiar League One core. The official lineups were released an hour before kick-off.

Arsenal starting XI

Mikel Arteta named a 4-3-3 formation, as predicted by Sports Illustrated (soccer analysis). The confirmed XI from Sky Sports match centre:

• Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga (13)
• Defenders: Ben White, William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera, Myles Lewis-Skelly
• Midfielders: Christian Norgaard (16), Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri (22)
• Forwards: Bukayo Saka (captain, 7), Eberechi Eze (10), Gabriel Martinelli

Substitutes used: Trossard on for Martinelli (62′), Zinchenko on for White (71′), Jorginho on for Norgaard (77′).

Port Vale starting XI

Port Vale, from League One in the 2025/26 season (ESPN match context), lined up in a 5-4-1 formation (BeSoccer lineups):

• Goalkeeper: Joe Gauci (46)
• Defenders: Connor Hall (captain, 5), Mitch Clark, Nathan Debrah, Dan Lawrence-Gabriel, Rekeil (confirmed as starter)
• Midfielders: Tom Croasdale, George Hall, Jonny Walters, Ryan Headley
• Forward: James Paton (substituted 70′) – Curtis later

Substitutions: Mitchell Clark on (66′), Ben Garrity on (66′), Jayden Stockley on (70′), Funso Ojo on (81′).

Comparing the two sides reveals key differences in tactical setup and leaders.

Bottom line: Arsenal fielded a mix of first-team regulars and rotation players, with Ethan Nwaneri and Christian Norgaard starting. Port Vale stuck to their 5-4-1 shape but couldn’t contain Arsenal’s wide threats. The pattern: Arteta trusted squad depth and it worked, though the margin was narrow until late on.

The pattern: Arteta’s rotation paid off, but the performance lacked the dominance expected against a lower-league opponent.

Who scored in Arsenal vs Port Vale?

Two different Arsenal players found the net, both in distinct phases of the match: an early breakthrough and a late insurance goal.

Eberechi Eze’s goal

Eberechi Eze opened the scoring in the 8th minute, his first goal for Arsenal since joining the club (ESPN match timeline). The midfielder collected a pass from Martinelli and slotted past Joe Gauci from inside the box. The goal settled Arsenal’s early nerves and allowed them to control possession.

Other goalscorer

Leandro Trossard doubled the lead in the 86th minute, capitalising on a loose ball after a corner (ESPN match report). Trossard had come on as a substitute in the 62nd minute and provided the clinical finish that closed the game.

No penalties were scored – referee Andrew Kitchen did not award a penalty to either side (BeSoccer match officials). Arsenal had a few half-hearted appeals, but no spot kick was given. The match was decided entirely from open play.

What date did Arsenal play Port Vale?

The Carabao Cup third-round tie took place on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. Kick-off at Vale Park was 19:45 BST. The competition is the English Football League Cup, known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons. Arsenal entered at this stage, while Port Vale had progressed through earlier rounds.

The implication: This win keeps Arsenal on track for a deep Carabao Cup run, but the busy schedule demands careful management.

Why was Arsenal not given penalties?

Despite some claims from Arsenal fans during the match, no penalties were awarded. Referee Andrew Kitchen, with assistants Shaun Hudson and Sam Lewis, let play continue on a few occasions when Arsenal players went down in the box (BeSoccer officials). The ESPN match report lists no penalty events in the timeline, and the final scoreline reflects a clean contest with no spot kicks. The Premier League does not typically comment on non-controversial decisions; no official statement was issued.

What this means: The absence of penalties kept the match straightforward. For a rotated Arsenal side, avoiding set-piece drama was a small win – they could focus on building open-play attacks without VAR interruptions.

What channel is Port Vale v Arsenal on?

The match was broadcast live on Sky Sports Football in the UK, as part of the broadcaster’s Carabao Cup coverage (Sky Sports match centre). Streaming was available via Sky Go and Now TV. International viewers could also access the broadcast through their local EFL rights holders. The 19:45 BST kick-off allowed a primetime slot for midweek football.

Clarity: What we know vs. what remains unclear

After the final whistle, several facts are clear. Others remain unconfirmed or open to interpretation.

Despite the discrepancy, the core facts remain reliable across sources.

Summary

Arsenal’s rotated squad did enough to beat a determined Port Vale side in the Carabao Cup third round, with early and late goals securing a 2-0 win. For Mikel Arteta, the victory maintains momentum and gives minutes to fringe players like Nwaneri and Norgaard. For Port Vale, the performance – particularly the first-half defensive shape – showed they can compete with top-flight opposition at Vale Park. For Arsenal fans, the takeaway is clear: squad depth can deliver results, but the game also underscored the need for a sharper cutting edge earlier in matches.

For a detailed breakdown of the starting XI and key moments, see the full match report and highlights from the same fixture.

Frequently asked questions

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