Port Vale vs Arsenal at Vale Park on Wednesday evening in the EFL Cup third round, as the League One side look to continue their impressive cup run against Premier League opposition.
The Valiants have already dispatched Blackpool and Birmingham City in the opening rounds, earning their first third-round appearance since their memorable quarter-final run in 2023-24.
Manager Darren Moore has masterminded a remarkable turnaround, with Port Vale securing back-to-back league victories over Exeter City and Mansfield Town after a disastrous start to their League One campaign with no wins from their opening seven matches.
Arsenal begin their EFL Cup campaign having received a bye to the third round as a Premier League club participating in European competition. Mikel Arteta’s side entered off the back of a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Manchester City, where Gabriel Martinelli’s late equalizer rescued a point at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners face significant injury concerns heading into this fixture, with Martin Ødegaard, Noni Madueke, Piero Hincapié, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz all sidelined.
This creates an opportunity for fringe players to stake their claim, with young talents like Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman potentially featuring alongside experienced campaigners seeking regular first-team football
The fixture carries historical significance, with Arsenal having not faced Port Vale away since their dramatic 1-1 FA Cup third-round draw in January 1998, which the Gunners eventually won on penalties en route to lifting the trophy.
Port Vale’s last victory over Arsenal dates back to 1901, highlighting the gulf in class between the two sides, though the Valiants will take confidence from their recent defensive improvements and the unpredictable nature of cup football.
Port Vale vs Arsenal Match Preview – Team News, Recent Form, H2H & Prediction
Port Vale will host Arsenal in the Carabao Cup Round 3 at Vale Park on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, with kick-off at 8:00 pm (UK time).
This David vs Goliath encounter promises intrigue as Port Vale seek to extend their cup magic against an Arsenal side looking to avoid an upset while managing squad rotation.
- Teams: Port Vale vs Arsenal
- Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
- Time: 19:45 BST (18:45 UTC)
- Venue: Vale Park, Stoke-on-Trent, England
- Competition: EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) Third Round
Recent Form of Port Vale and Arsenal
Port Vale have found their rhythm at the perfect time, winning their last two League One matches and both EFL Cup ties. Their recent 2-1 victory over Mansfield Town, sealed by a 95th-minute Ronan Curtis penalty, demonstrates their resilience and never-say-die attitude that could prove crucial against Premier League opposition.
Arsenal enter unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions, though they dropped points against Manchester City at the weekend. Their impressive 2-0 Champions League victory over Athletic Bilbao showcased their European credentials, with goals from Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli highlighting their attacking depth.
- Port Vale: W-W-L-W-L-W (Recent: Win vs Mansfield, Win vs Exeter, Loss vs Leyton Orient, Win vs Birmingham City EFL Cup)
- Arsenal: D-W-W-L-W-W (Recent: Draw vs Man City, Win vs Athletic Bilbao, Win vs Nottingham Forest, Loss vs Liverpool)
Port Vale vs Arsenal Head-to-Head
Historical encounters between these sides are rare, with their last meeting coming 27 years ago. Arsenal’s superior pedigree is evident, but Port Vale will remember they took the Gunners to a replay and penalties in their most recent FA Cup encounter.
| Statistic | Port Vale | Arsenal | Draws | Last Meeting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Historical Record | 1 | Multiple | 1 | FA Cup 1998 (Arsenal won on penalties) |
Port Vale vs Arsenal Team News
- Port Vale:
- Port Vale have already made some noise this season: upset wins in the early rounds of the EFL Cup and respectable performances in League One.
- Arsenal:
- Arsenal are entering this match off the back of a draw with Manchester City in the Premier League and will be watching for a strong performance in cup competition.
Port Vale vs Arsenal: Possible Starting Lineups
Port Vale (4-2-3-1):
- Ripley; Benning, Smith, Hall, Donnelly; Pett, Ojo; Garrity, Proctor, Curtis; Stockdale.
Arsenal (4-3-3):
- Kepa; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Norgaard, Merino; Saka, Gyökeres, Martinelli.
Key Battles
- Ronan Curtis vs Ben White: Port Vale’s experienced winger against Arsenal’s returning defender
- Ethan Nwaneri vs Port Vale Midfield: Arsenal’s young talent making his first start against League One opposition
Tactical Overview
- Port Vale: Compact defensive shape, quick transitions, set-piece threats, and physical pressing to disrupt Arsenal’s rhythm
- Arsenal: Possession-based approach, youth integration, wide attacking play, and patient build-up to break down organized defense
Port Vale vs Arsenal Prediction
Despite Arsenal’s extensive squad rotation and injury list, their superior individual quality should prove decisive. Port Vale’s recent confidence and home advantage could make this competitive, but Arsenal’s depth and experience in cup competitions will likely see them through.
- Predicted Score: Port Vale 0-3 Arsenal
TV & Streaming Info: Port Vale vs Arsenal
- Live coverage in the UK via Sky Sports Football.
- For fans overseas, an audio-match pass is available through PVTV, along with international streaming on platforms like Arena Sport and Digitalb
- In the United Kingdom, the match is live on Sky Sports Football with streaming available on Sky Go and NOW TV.
- In the USA, it is available on Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video
- Highlights will be available on the Sky Sports app and Sky Sports Football YouTube channel after full-time.