Arsenal travel to Port Vale on September 24 in the third round of the EFL Cup. The fixtures are beginning to come thick and fast, with Mikel Arteta’s men suffering from a number of injury problems. The Gunners’ most recent game saw them draw 1-1 at home to Manchester City, rescuing a point with a goal from Gabriel Martinelli. It’s time for domestic cup action, and here’s our Arsenal predicted lineup for the 20:00 BST kick-off.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Port Vale
How Arsenal Have Lined Up Recently
Mikel Arteta has remained consistent with his formation so far this season, lining his team up in a flexible 4-3-3 formation. At home to Manchester City, Arteta lined his team up with David Raya in goal, with a back four of Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhaes, and the returning William Saliba. In midfield, Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, and Declan Rice all started.
In the wide areas, it was Noni Madueke and Leandro Trossard, with Viktor Gyokeres starting in attack.
Arsenal Injuries and Absentees to Consider
In the pre-match press conference at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, Arteta gave the latest on the Noni Madueke injury and his likely return timeframe. The Gunners boss also spoke about the importance of easing Bukayo Saka back into action.
Regarding the injury to Piero Hincapie, Arteta said: “He picked up a little groin injury. We’ll have to assess him again in the next few days to see how he goes. There’s been a change of load, and he didn’t really have a pre-season after the surgery that he had. We’ll have to see in the next week or so how he is.” Addressing the timeframe for his return: “No, I think it will be a short time.”
Discussing likely squad rotation for the Port Vale clash, Arteta said:
“Yes, it’s a lot of players that are going to take part in that and they fully deserve the minutes. Kepa, for sure, is one of them. He’s been with us, his attitude, the way he supports us in every aspect of his role in the best possible manner. All this as well, they deserve more minutes than what they’re getting.”
It looks like there will be plenty of rotation for Arsenal, with Kepa, who reportedly earns £60,000-per-week at the Emirates, earning a rare start.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Athletic Club
GK: Kepa LB: Lewis-Skelly CB: Mosquera CB: Gabriel RB: White CM: Nwaneri CM: Norgaard CM: Dowman LW: Eze ST: Martinelli RW: Trossard