Eberechi Eze netted his first goal for Arsenal as we defeated Port Vale 2-0 in the third round of the Carabao Cup to set up a fourth round meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Gabriel Martinelli and Myles Lewis-Skelly combined well to find our number 10, who slotted home his maiden Gunners goal after just eight minutes.
With the tie still in the balance going into the final few minutes, Leandro Trossard came off the bench to double our lead to ensure safe passage.
Eze off the mark
This was our first visit to Vale Park in 27 years, when we knocked the Valiants out of the FA Cup on penalties. It took us 100 minutes to break the deadlock that night, but it took just eight this time around as Lewis-Skelly superbly flicked into the path of Eze, who slotted past Joe Gauci for his goal since his move from Crystal Palace last month.
We established control of the contest after opening the scoring and looked to take the game away from Port Vale. Ethan Nwaneri, making his first start of the season, curled his effort just wide courtesy of a deflection.
Having opened his account, Eze could have had a second on 34 minutes after being slipped in by Bukayo Saka, but the England international’s low effort was well saved by Gauci.
The hosts, roared on by a packed house at Vale Park, continued to press us as they looked to get back into the game. Cristhian Mosquera had to be on his guard as he stooped to clear a low cross from George Hall.
new beginnings
In his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta spoke about using his squad and he did just that, making nine changes to the line-up that faced Manchester City in the Premier League.
Kepa Arrizabalaga was making his first start for us, with Christian Norgaard making his full debut at the base of the midfield. The former having little to do in the opening phase as we limited our hosts to no shots on target in the opening half.
On top of that, four players who had featured in our academy started, with captain Bukayo Saka, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly and Eze all included from the outset. And it was one of those Hale Enders who went closest to doubling the lead as Nwaneri fired in his effort from range, but Jesse Debrah blocked well inside the penalty box.
Fresh from his stoppage-time goal against Man City, Martinelli was looking to make it three goals in three games. After being played through on the counter, our Brazilian couldn’t take the ball around Gauci who made a vital interception to deny a second.
valiant battle
With the game still in the balance, our hosts grew in confidence and went in search of an equaliser to greet their 16,000 home supporters. Devante Cole, son of former Gunner Andrew Cole, tried his luck from range but saw his effort flash over Arrizabalaga’s bar.
Looking to put the game to bed, we sent on Max Dowman and Viktor Gyokeres, and the pair nearly combined to score a second. The teenage winger produced a fine ball over the top, but the Swede’s low effort was well blocked over the bar.
But we eventually grabbed our second and it was another finisher who sealed the contest. A ball over the top from William Saliba found Trossard, who managed to cut back inside and rifle his effort low beyond Gauci to double our lead and set up a home meeting with Brighton next month.
What’s next
We turn our attention back to the Premier League, where we will face Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday, September 28. Then the following Wednesday it’s matchday two of the Champions League when we host Olympiacos, before West Ham United visit N5 on Saturday, October 4.
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