Port Vale v Arsenal preview – Valiants target a huge but unlikely cup upset in glamour tie

Wingback weaknesses?

Vale are struggling somewhat for wingback cover. The expected starters for this game will be Jordan Gabriel and Liam Gordon. However, if Liam Gordon joins Mitch Clark and Kyle John on the sidelines then Jaheim Headley will play leaving just teenager Jack Shorrock as cover.

Can Cole keep goal run going?

Three goals in three games has meant a flying start to Devante Cole’s Vale career. However, score against Arsenal on Wednesday night and it could go stratospheric.

Concentration is key

Vale need to forget the opponents, forget the TV cameras and use a capacity crowd to their advantage. That’s clearly easier to say then to do but should they succeed they would be confident of at least giving their opponents a good test.

Possible Vale line-up (3-5-2)

Gauci – Humphreys, Debrah, Hall – Gabriel, Croasdale, Byers, Headley – Garrity – Cole, Paton

Darren Moore reveals double wingback injury blow

Meet the manager

Unlike a lot of the managers in our previews, 43 year-old Mikel Arteta needs little introduction. The former Gunners player was appointed Arsenal manager in 2019 and has been in charge for 295 games, winning 173 of them. He’s also picked up the FA Cup and Community Shield during that time.

Recent form

Not that this is that relevant for underdogs Port Vale, but the visitors are in decent form ahead of this fixture. They have lost just one of their six games this season and drew 1-1 with Man City on Sunday.

Team news

This could be interesting as Arsenal are likely to make multiple changes for this game. Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly could come into the side while there’s the possibility of teenager Max Dowman making his first senior start. Fit again duo Bukayo Saka and Ben White could be starters too.

Dangerman

Just one player? Surely that doesn’t apply for this fixture. There’s probably going to be ten dangermen on the pitch simultaneously.

Last season

2nd in the Premier League.

Brief History

The club was formed in Woolwich in 1886 and was named the Dial Square Football Club after a workshop in the Royal Arsenal complex. They were renamed Royal Arsenal and in 1891 became London’s first professional club. Renamed again to Woolwich Arsenal, they joined the Football League in 1893. Close to bankruptcy in 1910, they moved location to Highbury and were known as The Arsenal. They dropped the “The” in 1915. They won their first League title in 1931 and have now won another twelve as well as fourteen FA Cups, two League Cups and the UEFA Cup Winners Cup. Influential managers include Herbert Chapman, who won the club’s first silverwear, George Graham, who oversaw a revival in the 1980’s and (of course) Arsene Wenger, most famous for the “Invincibles” season of 2003-2004.

Stadium

The club played at three stadia before settling at Highbury in 1913. It remained their home until 2006 when they moved to the 60,000 capacity Emirates stadium.

Trivia

There are two competing stories for Arsenal’s red and white shirt design. One is that Herbert Chapman spotted a fan wearing a red tanktop over a white shirt, the other is that Chapman was inspired by an outfit worn by golfing partner Tom Webster.

A match report from Port Vale’s last win over Arsenal back in 1901

Fixture history

The clubs first met in 1893 when it finished in a 4-1 win for the Gunners. However, Vale did not have to wait long for their first victory, winning the return 2-1 with Alf Wood and Meshach Dean on target. You have to go back to 1901 for Vale’s last win with Arsenal unbeaten in the last nine fixtures. The two sides have never met in the League Cup.

Last time we met

As many Vale fans will recall, John Rudge’s side so nearly defeated Arsenal in the FA Cup in 1998. The first game is relatively unsung but was a stunning defensive display as they took a 0-0 draw back from Highbury. In the replay, Wayne Corden equalised an effort from Dennis Bergkamp to take it to penalties. Allen Tankard was the unlucky Vale player to miss the decisive penalty as Arsenal scraped through 4-3 on penalties. There’s links to those games in this preview.

Player connections

The last player to play for both was winger Jerome Thomas. He played three times for Arsenal at the start of his career. Then, in the final move of his career, he played 26 times for Vale in the 2016-17 season. Current player Jordan Gabriel started in Arsenal’s youth ranks as did defender Liam Chilvers, a member of the 2012-13 promotion side.

Vintage connection

Goalkeeper Teddy Bateup moved from Arsenal to Port Vale in 1911. The strapping six foot three inch keeper had had two spells with Woolwich Arsenal totalling 36 games. He soon became a regular pick for Vale making 137 appearances over four seasons.

Discuss the game

Want to discuss things before, during and after the game? Our forum’s dedicated match thread is the place to be. Share your views with fellow fans –

Match thread for the game

Quiz

Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz

Who is the current Arsenal manager?
When were Arsenal formed?
What was the score when the sides first met?
Who is Arsenal’s record scorer?

(answers below – no cheating)

Quiz answers

Mikel Arteta
1886
Arsenal 4-1 Port Vale
Thierry Henry

Quiz ratings

Today’s theme is Port Vale cup performances. How did you fare?

0/4 – Enfield 3-0 Port Vale, 1981
1/4 – Chasetown 1-0 Port Vale, 2007
2/4 – Blackpool 0-1 Port Vale, 2025
3/4 – Port Vale 1-0 Southampton, 1994
4/4 – Port Vale 2-1 Spurs, 1988