Overview

• Arsenal confirmed their Carabao Cup third‑round lineup with Kepa Arrizabalaga starting in goal, Bukayo Saka wearing the armband and Christian Nørgaard making his full debut.
• Ethan Nwaneri, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, Ben White, William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera and Myles Lewis‑Skelly also start at Vale Park.
• Noni Madueke is sidelined for around two months with a knee injury sustained against Manchester City, and Piero Hincapié misses out with a groin problem.
• Fifteen‑year‑old Max Dowman is named among the substitutes, underlining Arsenal’s ongoing pathway for youth involvement.
• League One side Port Vale reached this round by beating Blackpool and Birmingham and come in on a two‑match winning run, prompting upset warnings despite Arsenal’s depth.