Carabao Cup Third Round Draw Sends Arsenal to Port Vale, Chelsea to Lincoln

Arsenal will face League One side Port Vale in the third round of the 2025/26 Carabao Cup, with the match scheduled for the week commencing September 22. This will be the first competitive meeting between the two teams since the 1997/98 FA Cup third round replay at Vale Park, where Arsenal progressed on penalties en route to a trophy win. Arsenal, who enter the competition at this stage due to their involvement in European competitions, aim to win the Carabao Cup for the third time in their history, having previously won in 1987 and 1993. Manager Mikel Arteta is expected to rotate the squad for the tie, with summer signings like Viktor Gyokeres likely to feature amid injury issues to key players Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. Port Vale, managed by Darren Moore, will host the match at a sold-out Vale Park and are eager to challenge Premier League opposition. The fixture adds to Arsenal's busy schedule in September, which includes Premier League and Champions League matches.