Arsenal XI vs Port Vale: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Carabao Cup

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Evening Standard

·23. September 2025

Arsenal XI vs Port Vale: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Carabao Cup

The Gunners are set to rotate heavily as they visit the League One outfit

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Teenage star Max Dowman could make history if he is picked to start for Arsenal against Port Vale on Wednesday night.

At the age of 15, Dowman would become the youngest-ever player to start an Arsenal first-team game - beating the record goalkeeper Jack Porter set last season.

Porter was just 16 years and 72 days old when he beat Cesc Fabregas’ record last season, starting in goal for Arsenal’s third round Carabao Cup clash with Bolton.

The Gunners are travelling to Port Vale this season in the same round of the competition and Mikel Arteta is expected to make changes to his team.

Dowman, who has already made two first-team appearances off the bench this season, is one of those who could come into the side as Noni Madueke is injured.

Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are also out with knee injuries, while Martin Odegaard is still on the sidelines due to a shoulder problem.

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga could make his debut in goal after joining from Chelsea in the summer. “A lot of players fully deserve minutes, Kepa, for sure, is one of them,” said Arteta.

Myles Lewis-Skelly will hope to make a first start of the season at left-back, with Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera also set to come into the defence.

Piero Hincapie is out with a groin injury - and so one of Gabriel or William Saliba is likely to start.

Summer signing Christian Norgaard should make his full debut at the base of midfield and Ethan Nwaneri is expected to start ahead of him, possibly alongside Mikel Merino.

In attack, Gabriel Martinelli should feature from the beginning after two goals off the bench last week.

Viktor Gyokeres has started every game for Arsenal this season and so he may be handed a rest, with Leandro Trossard an option through the middle.

Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Norgaard, Merino; Dowman, Trossard, Martinelli

Injured: Havertz (knee), Hincapie (groin), Jesus (knee), Madueke (knee) and Odegaard (shoulder)

Time and date: 8.00pm BST on Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Venue: Vale Park

How to watch: Sky Sports