Arsenal Secures 2-0 Win Over Port Vale: Eberechi Eze’s First Goal and Leandro Trossard’s Stylish Finish in Carabao Cup Match
MIKEL ARTETA has been cautioned that he must “take off the handbrake” if he aims to secure significant trophies with Arsenal.
However, on a chilly Wednesday evening in Stoke, his heavily rotated Gunners barely shifted out of third gear, with goals from Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard sealing a spot in the Carabao Cup fourth round against Port Vale.
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The joy from Gabriel Martinelli’s last-minute equalizer against Manchester City swiftly faded as critics pointed out Arteta’s overly cautious strategy, seemingly stuck in a conservative mindset.
With a mere four shots on target during the match, concerns over his tactics persist as the team readies for a Premier League showdown at Newcastle on Sunday.
Responding to criticism, Arteta emphasized the talent and attacking capabilities of his squad, implementing NINE changes for the clash at Vale Park.
However, the performance lacked the confidence one might expect, with Eze netting in the eighth minute—his inaugural goal for Arsenal—followed by a lengthy wait of 78 minutes until Trossard added to the scoreline.
Despite distractions, Arteta will undoubtedly have several positives to take back to North London.
Of course, this match was against Port Vale—currently positioned 19th in League One, managing two wins from nine games under Darren Moore, who strategically analyzed City’s game plan but had limited success in replicating it.
Furthermore, some Gunners fans may express frustration over Mikel Merino leading the attack again while Viktor Gyokeres sat on the bench for most of the match.
Nonetheless, Arteta effectively provided much-needed rest for several senior players, leaving Staffordshire without any new injury concerns.
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Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard made their first starts since joining in the summer, while youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly received their season debuts. A fully-fit Bukayo Saka returned after nearly a month, though he was substituted for a brief appearance from 15-year-old Max Dowman.
This further highlighted the wealth of elite talent Arteta has at his disposal, not to mention sidelined trio Martin Odegaard, Piero Hincapie, and Kai Havertz, who watched the match from London, rendering any talk of a ‘B team’ or ‘second string’ trivial.
Ben White strikes the ball off Port Vale groundsman after he disrupts Arsenal’s warm-up with cheeky antics
With a valuation around £1.14bn, Arsenal boasts one of the world’s most illustrious squads, starkly contrasting with the Vale’s squad, valued at approximately £8.8m. The comparison is almost ludicrous.
Their record signing stands at £500k for Gareth Ainsworth back in 1997, while Saka could earn that in just a couple of weeks.
Despite the vast financial gulf, it did not dampen the electric atmosphere at Vale Park, buzzing with cup excitement and hopes for an unexpected result.
On the club’s 150th anniversary, nearly a full house of 16,326 created the largest turnout since facing Liverpool in the FA Cup back in 1999.
Moreover, the last time Arsenal visited Vale Park was in 1998 for an FA Cup third-round replay, which ended in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 deadlock, featuring a notably strong side from Arsene Wenger, including Ian Wright, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira, and Marc Overmars.
Wenger’s team advanced from the penalty spot and went on to secure a double that season. Arteta will be hopeful that a return to Vale Park brings similar luck, eager to add to his solitary FA Cup trophy won during his inaugural term in charge in 2020.
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At present, the Spaniard cannot afford to disregard the Carabao Cup, which now leads to an enticing fourth-round matchup.
Unlike 37 years ago, this fixture wasn’t meant for a penalty shootout.
Despite some nervous moments from the hosts, bolstered by their ardent fan support, Arsenal quickly settled into a commanding rhythm, dictating the match with control.
Martinelli—who recently showcased his scoring ability—made his impact clear on the left, assisting Lewis-Skelly in the box with a deceptive flick that left the defense bewildered, allowing Eze to finish effortlessly.
The remainder of the first half was characterized by Arsenal’s composed dominance, moving fluidly as if in a well-practiced training session. Merino squandered some opportunities in the box, while Eze had another attempt saved by Joe Gauci.
Although occasional set pieces and long throws kept them alert, Arsenal smoothly transitioned into the second half. Nwaneri delivered a clever pass to Martinelli, who was thwarted by Gauci’s spectacular tackle.
Arteta might have preferred a less stressful finish, introducing Gabriel and Gyokeres for added solidity; the latter came close before Trossard finalized the scoreline in the 86th minute.
Now, they prepare for a tough test at St James’ Park, where Arteta’s tactical conservatism will face a more significant challenge.
