Arsenal XI vs Port Vale: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest for Carabao Cup Max Dowman in contention to start as Mikel Arteta prepares to make changes for third-round clash against League One side

Max Dowman in contention to start as Mikel Arteta prepares to make changes for third-round clash against League One side

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Max Dowman could make his first Arsenal start against Port Vale in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

The 15-year-old is in line to become the youngest-ever player to start for Arsenal as Mikel Arteta prepares to make changes to his team at Vale Park.

Dowman would beat the record goalkeeper Jack Porter set last season when, aged 16 years and 72 days old, he started for Arsenal in their Carabao Cup third-round win over Bolton.

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga could make his debut in goal after joining from Chelsea in the summer.

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.

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.

“A lot of players fully deserve minutes, Kepa, for sure, is one of them,” said Arteta.

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

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

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

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