The season is finally in full flow. Frustrating injuries? Check. Reactionary knee-jerk narratives based on early results? Indeed. Matches every three to four days? Now we’re talking.
In the past two weeks,
Arsenal returned to Premier League play and begun their Champions League campaign. Now, the Gunners turn their sights to their first domestic cup campaign, this one with a slightly less prestigious pedigree than Europe’s most decorated club competition. But silverware is silverware, and Mikel Arteta’s side aren’t in a position to be turning their noses up at a chance to end their drought. That all starts on Wednesday when they take a trip to face Port Vale FC from League One in the 3rd round of the Carabao Cup.
Last season’s campaign in England’s third most celebrated contest mirrored the Gunner’s Champions League run, when Arsenal made it all the way to the semifinals before being dumped out over two disappointing (and unnecessary) legs against the eventual cup champions Newcastle. Most will remember it more for the absurd controversy over Arteta’s misconstrued comments about the match ball, but it was a frustrating end to what could have been the Gunners’ first trophy in over five seasons.
Wednesday kick starts the new campaign. Slotted between two massive league matches, the Gunners travel north for their first ever match against the Valiants. Can they take care of business and not get caught looking too far ahead? Here are three talking points ahead of Wednesday’s match.
Know the Enemy
Port Vale FC, hailing from Stoke-on-Trent, sit 19th in the EFL League One table after making their return to England’s third division after finishing 2nd in League Two last season.
The Valiants have yo-yoed between League Two and League One over the last 30 years, having never broken through to the Championship in their lengthy history. That doesn’t seem likely to change this season. Through 9 matches, they are 19th out of 24 clubs, having amassed a meager 8 points with a 2-2-5 record. They enter the match on the back of two consecutive wins, likely hoping to capture some of the magic that Grimsby Town had against Manchester United a few weeks ago when they knocked out the Premier League blue bloods.
Their roster is fairly anonymous from a “I know that guy” standpoint. They do, though, feature Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel, who spent a season in Arsenal’s academy in 2013 (the Gabriel surname was a dead giveaway). A handful of their players have ties to Premier League sides, but none with any meaningful experience.
Their top scorer on the season is Devonte Cole, who came through Manchester City’s academy, with 3 goals on the season.
According to WhoScored.com, their playing style trends toward a front-footed attack that likes to play on the counter. They are strong in aerial duels and on set pieces, but struggle to finish scoring chances.
This will be Arsenal’s first match against Port Vale since besting them 1-0 in the FA Cup in 1998.
Injuries & Suspensions
It was a double dose of relief when Bukayo Saka and William Saliba were on the team sheet on Sunday against Manchester City, with Saliba starting and Saka coming on at halftime. Martin Ødegaard, who is still recovering from another shoulder injury, didn’t make the bench, but Arteta indicated that he isn’t far away from being ready to rejoin the squad.
The Gunners, unfortunately, enter the week with a new injury. Noni Madueke was subbed at halftime with Mikel Arteta indicating that he “felt something,” which are just about the most ominous words you can imagine in that situation, made all the more nerve-wracking as a scan is scheduled to see how bad the damage is. New signing Piero Hincapie, who made his debut in the waning minutes of the Champions League tie at Athletic Club, was left out on Sunday following a knock during training. Fingers crossed that it is entirely precautionary.
The long term injuries of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus remain unchanged, with both expected to return in the next two to three months.
OUT: Kai Havertz (knee), Gabriel Jesus (ACL), Noni Madueke (knee)
PROBABLE: Martin Ødegaard (shoulder), Piero Hincapie (knock)
Predicted Lineup
Attack: Martinelli, Merino, Dowman
After losing his spot on the left, Gabriel Martinelli has come to the rescue off the bench for two straight matches. It’s only fitting that he gets a start, even if it is away to a 3rd division side. Mikel Merino is next in line for the striker position unless for some reason Arteta decides that Viktor Gyökeres desperately needs more minutes (I promise you he doesn’t, Mikel). Max Dowman, fresh off a debut with Arsenal’s u21 squad where he became the youngest scorer in the competition, could get a first team start after being omitted for the match against City. Does it being played on a school night have an impact on the team selection? There’s also the off-chance that Bukayo Saka starts, seeing as how he just came back from injury, but I can’t imagine risking him for what is ideally a tune-up match.
Midfield: Eze, Nørgaard, Nwaneri
Eberechi Eze has been taking a while to bed in, having played off the left until getting minutes in the middle against City, where he provided the assist for the match winner with a sublime lofted through ball. Wednesday could be the perfect chance for him to start in the middle ahead of potentially reprising the role against Newcastle on the weekend. Christian Nørgaard finally gets a start after returning from injury, with Ethan Nwaneri starting off the right in the midfield.
Defense: Lewis-Skelly, Hincapie, Mosquera, White
There isn’t a position group with more depth than the defense. Being able to bring in the likes of last season’s debut sensation Myles Lewis-Skelly and this season’s in Cristhian Mosquera feels like a fever dream following countless seasons where the drop off from 1st to 2nd choice was a proper chasm. Wily veteran Ben White should come in and provide veteran experience with new signing Piero Hincapie set to make his first start, if he is fit and available after missing the bench against Manchester City.
Keeper: Kepa
What a difference a year makes, Last season, Arsenal were forced to start a 16 year old in goal in the 3rd round of the Carabao Cup since the one they brought in on loan was cup tied. Now that the Gunners have learned from that headache, Kepa Arrizabalaga comes in for his first start after leaving Chelsea in the summer.
Wednesday should, ideally, be a chance for Mikel Arteta to heavily rotate and let the improved depth do the heavy lifting. Keeping starters on the bench is the priority to keep from any more freakish injuries taking their toll. Lower league sides have a tendency to want to go for broke against the biggest clubs and come out hot, which could prove for a slightly tricky opening spell. The Gunners need to take the home crowd out of it early and squeeze the life out of the match and take care of business ahead of what will undoubtedly be a tough match away at St. James Park on the weekend.
WHO: Arsenal at Port Vale FC
WHAT: EFL Carabao Cup 3rd Round
WHEN: Wednesday, September 24th, 3:00pm EST/12:00pm PST/8:00pm GMT
WHERE: Vale Park
HOW TO WATCH: Streaming live on Paramount+ and Amazon Prime Video
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