Port Vale Vs Arsenal Match Report
Arsenal secured a place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a composed 2-0 win against Port Vale at Vale Park. The Gunners dominated the contest, but it took two goals, one early and one late, to break down a resilient home side.
The night was particularly memorable for Eberechi Eze, who opened his Arsenal account with a well-taken strike in the eighth minute. Leandro Trossard added a second near the end to seal victory against a spirited Port Vale in front of their biggest home crowd this century.
Match Overview
This third-round Carabao Cup clash saw Arsenal heavily rotate their squad while still maintaining control of proceedings. Port Vale, buoyed by a packed Vale Park, defended with determination but rarely threatened in attack.
Arsenal controlled possession throughout, boasting close to 80% of the ball. Despite their dominance, chances were limited, and Mikel Arteta’s side had to remain patient before finally putting the result beyond doubt.
Goals and Key Moments

8′ – Arsenal 1-0 Port Vale: Gabriel Martinelli combined with Myles Lewis-Skelly in the build-up before Eberechi Eze calmly slotted home to score his first goal for the club.
77′ – VAR Check: Port Vale thought they had a chance to push forward, but Arsenal’s organisation kept them at bay, leaving the home side with no shots on target across the game.
86′ – Arsenal 2-0 Port Vale: Substitute Leandro Trossard latched on to a long ball from William Saliba, controlled it neatly, and finished low into the corner to secure the win.
Standout Performances
Arsenal
- Eberechi Eze was the standout performer, scoring his debut goal for the Gunners and looking confident in midfield.
- Leandro Trossard made an impact from the bench with his decisive strike.
- Kepa Arrizabalaga debuted for Arsenal in goal but had a quiet night, with Port Vale failing to test him once.
Port Vale
- Defensively, Port Vale showed organisation and commitment, keeping Arsenal frustrated for large spells.
- Goalkeeper Joe Gauci produced several saves to keep the score respectable.
- However, their lack of attacking presence meant they were never in real contention.
Tactical Analysis
Mikel Arteta used the match to rotate his squad, handing opportunities to fringe and new players. Arsenal controlled tempo through patient build-up play, stretching Port Vale’s lines before breaking them down with individual quality.
Port Vale set up with two compact defensive banks, prioritising shape over possession. Their tactical approach slowed Arsenal at times, but with only 20% possession and no shots on target, their limitations in attack were clear.
Statistics
- Possession: Port Vale 20% – Arsenal 80%
- Shots: Port Vale 3 – Arsenal 11
- Shots on Target: Port Vale 0 – Arsenal 4
- Corners: Port Vale 1 – Arsenal 6
The numbers reflect Arsenal’s dominance, with Port Vale defending deep and rarely venturing forward.
Implications for Both Teams
For Arsenal, the result was professional and expected. Eberechi Eze’s first goal is a major positive, while Trossard’s impact off the bench underlined squad depth. The Gunners now advance to the fourth round with renewed confidence.
For Port Vale, the defeat ends their Carabao Cup journey, but their defensive resilience and record crowd offered positives to build on. Their lack of attacking threat remains an area of concern moving forward in their domestic campaign.
Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Port Vale was a showcase of patience, control, and squad depth. Eberechi Eze’s debut goal was the highlight of the night, while Leandro Trossard’s late strike ensured safe passage into the next round.
Although Port Vale battled bravely in front of their fans, the gulf in class was evident, and Arsenal’s quality proved decisive.
FAQs
Q1. Who scored Arsenal’s goals against Port Vale?
A. Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard scored for Arsenal.
Q2. What was the final score of Port Vale vs Arsenal?
A. Arsenal won the match 2-0.
Q3. Did Port Vale have any shots on target?
A. No, Port Vale failed to register a shot on target.
Q4. Who made his debut for Arsenal in this match?
A. Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made his Arsenal debut.
Q5. How many fans attended Port Vale vs Arsenal?
A. Around 16,326 fans attended, the largest Vale Park crowd this century.
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