Arsenal start their Carabao Cup campaign away at League One outfit Port Vale on Wednesday night, with the two teams facing off for the first time this century.
Wednesday’s hosts are preparing for a grand occasion in their 150th anniversary season, as they welcome the Premier League’s perennial bridesmaids to Vale Park for this third-round tie.
While Vale are struggling down in 19th in League One, they’ve beaten Blackpool and upset Birmingham City to set up their maiden meeting with the Gunners since 1998, when they came close to stunning the eventual double-winners in the FA Cup.
Mikel Arteta’s side enter this cup tie off the back of a three-game week, one which concluded with a 1–1 draw against Manchester City on Sunday. They were forced to break down an uncharacteristically deep Cityzens defence after Erling Haaland’s early opener, eventually bagging their equaliser through substitute Gabriel Martinelli in stoppage time.
There’s an expectation that Arsenal will compete for the Premier League title despite already falling five points behind champions Liverpool. The Gunners also haven’t lifted a trophy since the FA Cup in 2020, so they’ll want to enjoy another deep run in this competition.
Here is guide to Wednesday’s cup tie.
