Arsenal player ratings vs Port Vale: Lift-off for Eberechi Eze! Arsenal star opens account and Leandro Trossard finishes off Port Vale as Gunners secure Carabao Cup win

Arsenal were captained by Bukayo Saka, making his first start since suffering injury against Leeds in the season curtain-raiser. And while Arteta will be pleased with the result he’ll know his side were efficient, but not impressive on the evening as they struggled to break Vale down. 

The Gunners needed just eight minutes to open the scoring, with Eze sliding home a low finish after a neat team move. The visitors looked set to run away with it after netting an early goal but found it tough going against a resolute Port Vale side.

Arteta threw on reinforcements in the second half, including Viktor Gyokeres and teenage talent Max Down, but it was Trossard who came up with the goods again. The Belgium international fired a low shot into the bottom corner with just four minutes of normal time remaining to seal Arsenal’s place in the next round.

GOAL rates Arsenal’s players from Vale Park…