Port Vale host Arsenal in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday night, and we’ve got the latest team news and predicted lineups ahead of kick-off.
The Carabao Cup third round draws to a close with League One side Port Vale welcoming Premier League giants Arsenal to Vale Park at 20:00 on Wednesday evening.
Vale head into the tie having recorded back-to-back wins over Exeter and Mansfield in the third tier. Darren Moore’s side now occupy 19th place in League One, just a point above relegation.
They have beaten Blackpool and Birmingham on their way to the third round.
Gunning for glory in @Carabao_Cup Round Three 🏆
UP THE VALE!#PVFC | #PVFC150 pic.twitter.com/T8mNEIMv77
— Port Vale Football Club (@OfficialPVFC) September 24, 2025
Meanwhile, the Gunners are unbeaten in three after holding Manchester City to a 1-1 draw in their most recent outing, and Mikel Arteta’s men sit in second place in the top-flight.
The Carabao Cup fourth round draw will follow immediately after the full-time whistle.
As kick-off nears, we at SportsCasting have the latest team news and predicted lineups for both teams. Read on as we unveil the most probable XIs, along with injury and suspension news.
Port Vale vs Arsenal Team News and Predicted Lineups
Port Vale Team News
Moore is set to be without several first-team players for the Gunners’ visit on Wednesday, with Liam Gordon, Mitchell Clark and Kyle John expected to miss out on the tie.
A positive, however, is that Mo Faal has returned after recovering from a hamstring issue.
Expected to take to the field in their customary 3-5-2 formation, Vale are unlikely to make many changes to the lineup that overcame Mansfield 2-1 at the weekend.
Gordon, of course, is an enforced change due to his injury. Jaheim Headley, who scored in the win over Birmingham in the last round, could be named in the XI in his place.
Ronan Curtis is also likely to return to the lineup after his injury-time winner on Saturday afternoon. Devante Cole is expected to partner the 29-year-old striker in attack.
Port Vale Predicted Lineup (3-5-2):
Gauci (GK)
Humphreys, Debrah, Heneghan
Gabriel, Croasdale, Garrity, Byers, Headley
Cole, Curtis
Arsenal Team News
As for Arsenal, they came out of their weekend clash with two fresh injury concerns.
Piero Hincapie failed to make the matchday squad due to a reported groin issue, making him a doubt for this one, while Noni Madueke was forcibly withdrawn due to a knee injury.
Arteta has confirmed that Madueke faces at least ‘a few weeks’ on the sidelines.
“It looks he’s going to be out for a few weeks. We don’t know yet [if it’s 2 months], we’re probably going to have to scan him next week again.”
He joins the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard on the treatment table.
🔵 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝘿𝘼𝙔 🔘
🆚 Port Vale
⏰ 20:00 (UK)
🏆 Carabao Cup
🏟️ Vale Park🤝 @airwallex pic.twitter.com/76AWRLJClv
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 24, 2025
Elsewhere, Bukayo Saka and Ben White made their returns to the matchday squad on Sunday, and the pair could be in from the off here as they look to build fitness.
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Cristhian Mosquera have been tipped to line up in the back alongside White, while Ethan Nwaneri, Christian Norgaard and Mikel Merino should form the midfield.
15-year-old Max Dowman is also likely to gain some valuable minutes from the fixture.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):
Kepa (GK)
White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly
Nwaneri, Norgaard, Merino
Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
