Arsenal will be back for Carabao Cup action when they hit the road to face Port Vale in the third round on Wednesday at Vale Park.
The Gunners are heading into this fixture after they salvaged a late draw against Manchester City courtesy of a goal from Gabriel Martinelli last weekend.
However, after a tiring week in which they faced Athletic Club in Bilbao followed by the clash against City, Mikel Arteta is expected to shuffle the squad against Port Vale.
Interestingly, the team from north London haven't won the Carabao Cup since 1963, and they have a great opportunity to achieve that this season considering their squad depth to tackle multiple competitions at once.
Meanwhile, Vale have reached the third round for just the second time in 16 seasons after they defeated eliminated Blackpool and Birmingham City.
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Arsenal lineup vs. Port Vale: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest
Arsenal suffered fresh injury concerns last week as Piero Hincapie didn't make the matchday squad against City for an undisclosed reason, and Noni Madueke was withdrawn at halftime due to a knee injury.
The duo are expected to join Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz among Arsenal absentees for this fixture.
Bukayo Saka surprisingly featured off the bench against City and is expected to play a role against Port Vale to build his fitness.
Kepa Arrizabalaga should replace David Raya in goal, and Arteta may reward Martinelli with a start after scoring off the bench in two consecutive fixtures. Viktor Gyokeres is expected to lead the line as Arteta wants the Swede to find some goal-scoring form.
Christian Norgaard may come into midfield to join rising star Ethan Nwaneri. There is a good chance that teenager Max Dowman will feature, although it seems more likely he will start on the bench.
Arsenal predicted starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Kepa (GK) — White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly — Nwaneri, Norgaard, Merino — Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Injured: Hincapie (undisclosed), Madueke (knee), Havertz (knee), Gabriel (knee), Odegaard (shoulder)
Suspended: None
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Port Vale vs. Arsenal match details
- Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
- Kickoff timing: 8 p.m. BST
- Location: Vale Park, Burslem, Staffordshire (England)
- Competition: Carabao Cup
- Referee: Andrew Kitchen