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Arsenal head to Vale Park for a Carabao Cup third-round clash against League One side Port Vale, a tie that pits gritty underdogs against Premier League firepower. The Gunners have enjoyed a solid start to the 2025/26 season, winning four of their six matches in all competitions so far.

Fresh off Gabriel Martinelli's injury-time strike that rescued a dramatic draw against Manchester City on Sunday, Arsenal's trip to Port Vale offers them a chance to build some momentum. It also provides manager Mikel Arteta with an opportunity to rotate his squad ahead of a testing period, with a trip to Newcastle, three London derbies and a Champions League showdown with Atletico Madrid on the horizon.

The Carabao Cup has already delivered drama, with Manchester United sensationally knocked out by League Two minnows Grimsby Town. Riding the confidence of back-to-back wins, Port Vale will hope to pull off a similar upset on home turf. Here, Mirror Football has everything you need to know to catch the action.

READ MORE: When is Carabao Cup fourth-round draw? Time, date, ball numbers and how to watch live

READ MORE: Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta given sack warning as former Gunners transfer chief finds new club

When is Port Vale vs Arsenal?

The match is taking place on Wednesday, September 24, with kick off set for at 8pm BST. It will be hosted at Vale Park in Stoke-on-Trent, the home of Port Vale, with a capacity of around 15,000 fans.

What channel is Port Vale vs Arsenal on?

UK viewers can catch the action live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with coverage starting at 7pm. Sky Sports Ultra HDR will also broadcast the game for enhanced viewing.

Streaming options include the Sky Go app for subscribers or NOW TV for non-contract access - perfect for last-minute sign-ups. Post-match highlights and catch-up will be available on the Sky Sports app and website.

Team news

Arsenal face a selection headache with several injury concerns. Noni Madueke has been sidelined for around two months after sustaining a knee injury in the draw against City. However, the injury isn't as severe as first feared.

Captain Martin Odegaard is nursing a shoulder issue that could rule him out. Piero Hincapie is also doubtful with a minor knock, and longer-term absentees include Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Kai Havertz (knee).

On a positive note, Bukayo Saka is back after a hamstring problem and could feature, as he did from the bench against City at the weekend. With Arteta likely to rotate, expect starts for the likes of Ethan Nwaneri, Eberechi Eze and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

For Port Vale, defenders Liam Gordon, Mitch Clark and Kyle John are all doubtful. On the bright side, though, Mo Faal has recovered from a hamstring problem in a boost to their forward line as Vale aim to channel the spirit of their back-to-back draw against the Gunners in 1998.

When is the fourth-round draw?

The Carabao Cup fourth-round draw takes place immediately after Port Vale vs Arsenal. It is expected to begin at around 10pm, but the exact time will depend on when the match finishes, with penalties on the cards if the two teams cannot be separated after normal time.

The draw will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football, and Sky Sports News, with streaming available via Sky Go and the Sky Sports app.

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