Port Vale are out of the League Cup after conceding at the beginning and end of the game. However, Darren Moore’s men can be largely proud of their performance against more illustrious opponents. Here’s our match report.
Team News
Team NewsManager Darren Moore made numerous changes including starts for Rhys Walters and Ronan Curtis. Deadline day signing George Hall was handed his first start in midfield. Meanwhile, Jaheim Headley started as left wing-back.
Striker Devante Cole was named on a strong bench alongside George Byers, Ben Garrity and Jayden Stockley.
First-half
An early goal from £70m man Eberechi Eze showed the difference in class between the teams as Vale trailed at the break.
The Valiants failed to stamp authority on the game early on with the visitors having the early chances. They soon made Vale pay as England International Eze converted confidently from inside the box after just seven minutes.
It took half-an-hour before Vale were able to gain any possession and pressure of their own but even as they came more into the game they failed to force goalkeeper Kepa into a meaningful save.
Meanwhile, Arsenal were looking dangerous on the break with Connor Hall on hand to clear an attack on 34 minutes.
Vale’s best period came from a succession of corners which saw defender Connor Hall have a powerful shot blocked. However, that was probably Vale’s only opportunity of the half as the visitors dominated possession and kept things tight at the back. At the break, Vale were trailing and needed a strong second-half display to get back into the game.
Half-time: Port Vale 0-1 Arsenal
Second-half
Sub Leandro Trossard added a late second to seal Arsenal’s victory as Darren Moore’s side exited the cup.
Vale nearly conceded early in the second period but Joe Gauci came off his line to expertly clear when Arsenal broke on 47 minutes.
Darren Moore made changes in an attempt to wrestle back possession but despite the additions of the experienced Ben Garrity, Devante Cole, Jayden Stockley and Mitch Clark, they were unable to do so. Cole came closest with Vale’s best chance of the game on 76 minutes. The striker, with three goals in his first three games, blazed narrowly over from the edge of the box.
However, Vale suffered a blow when Mitch Clark, only just back from injury, limped off on 66 minutes.
It was a sign of the difference between the sides that Vale brought on free transfer Funso Ojo to replace him, Wheras, on 81 minutes, Arsenal brought on £100m man Declan Rice.
The game was sealed on 86 minutes when Trossard finished expertly to put the Gunners two up and take them into the next round.
Full-time: Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal
Analysis
The match
The difference in quality was apparent with Arsenal fielding full England Internationals Saka, Lewis-Skelly, Rice and Eze plus expensive summer signing Victor Gyökeres. Unfortunately, Vale were unable to force themselves into the game, conceding possession to their more skilled opponents and being unable to force any clearcut chances. As a result of that (and the early goal) it was always an uphill battle but Vale at least saved face by only conceding the two goals to high class opponents.
Away from the action on the pitch, it was a novel sight to see digital display advertising screens on the sidelines and fireworks as the teams ran out. Unfortunately, the game itself failed to explode into life.
The players
It was a tricky game for any one Vale player to shine. Keeper Joe Gauci pulled off some smart stops, the back three did fine work at times while Ronan Curtis was tenacious. One negative will be seeing sub Mitch Clark forced off injured. With Kyle John also on the sidelines, it leaves Vale short of right-sided options.
Summing up in a sentence
Class shows after early and late blows.
Match stats
Team: Gauci – Humphreys, Debrah, Hall – Gabriel (Clark, Ojo), Walters, Croasdale, Headley – G.Hall (Garrity) – Paton (Cole), Curtis (Stockley)
Subs: Marosi, Byers, Faal, Heneghan
Yellows: none
Reds: none
Goals: none
Attendance: 16,326 (2,970 visitors)
Season stats
Your thoughts…
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Predictable outcome, but a very determined effort from the Vale to restrict Arsenal’s hugely talented squad to two goals. The Gunners are a team that routinely scores three or more goals in their EPL away fixtures. Another solid performance from Gauci between the sticks must surely confirm his status as Vale’s current number one keeper. It’ll be interesting to see financially how Vale’s mini League Cup run has contributed to the club’s coffers.
Bit of a damp squid I think the terminology is. Everything is weighed against the smaller teams for a cup upsets. Pitches are like bowling greens, there’s no tackling like there used to be, top clubs now have much larger squads full of internationals, and it shows. After the early goal Arsenal had the luxury of being able to play keep ball, leaving Vale with the thankless task of just chasing the ball, I think the starting line up was chosen exactly with that that in mind. I don’t often praise Mr Moore but at least he had the sense not to play Byers who would have been totally unsuitable for a game like this. We were poles apart and it’s just one we have to take on the chin. One big complaint, the toilet situation on the Railway Paddock side were atrocious. Ever since the Bycars was given over to the away supporters the Railway Paddock has lost half its loos. Maybe Carol and her family and friends should come and sit with us and see what the peasants have to put up with, it’s disgusting!