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By HARRY BAMFORTH, LIVE SPORTS COVERAGE REPORTER and IAN HERBERT, DEPUTY CHIEF SPORTS WRITER Updated: 07: 36 AEST, 25 September 2025 50 View comments Relive Daily Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Arsenal travelled to League One Port Vale in the third round of the Carabao Cup plus updates from all the other ties and Real Betis vs Nottingham Forest in the Europa League. Right then, it's time for me to dash off. The Carabao third round is over, and Arsenal have come through it unscathed. In truth, they never looked like getting knocked out tonight. Port Vale put up a good fight, and a strong Gunners side were far from their best, but in truth, it was a largely unchallenging night. Now they have Brighton to look forward to in the next round. And with that, it's time for me to head off. Have a lovely rest of your ight, and I will see you all at the weekend. Goodnight! Oooooo. .. They have just done the fourth round draw, and there are some tasty ties in there, that's for sure. But the best of them all. .. Newcastle vs Spurs. That's a tie to whet the appetite, sin't it? I'm already looking forward to it and it's only just been announced. I imagine the Magpies will be confident they can get through it, too. Darren Moore, Port Vale manager, on Sky Sports: Many of you may think that tonight wasn't that big of a deal for Arsenal, but I would have to disagree. It was a real biggie. There is so much pressure on Mikel Arteta to deliver a major trophy. He showed he is feeling it based on his starting line-up and the sheer strength of it. Not only that, but his substitutions too. It was really important for Arteta that his team got over the line, and I believe that he is going to continue to push in an attempt to win this competition. Can the Gunners go all the way? I mean, why not? Christian Norgaard, Arsenal midfielder, on Sky Sports: Signed, sealed, delivered. I was having a pop at Mikel Arteta for his substitutes being so strong in that second half, and well, he made me look silly. Once again, Leandro Trossard came off the bench to seal a cup win for the Gunners, and what a way to do it. Lovely finish. So, it's nearly time for the draw. We have 16 teams left vying for Carabao Cup glory, which doesn't seem very many given it's only September. The draw is in less than 15 minutes, but sadly, I'm not covering it in this blog. You will have to defect to my colleague Lewis Browning's specialist blog for that. Here are the 16 teams left in the hat: Eberechi Eze, Arsenal goalscorer, on Sky Sports: Nottingham Forest have to settle for a point. Antony's late leveller means that Ange Postecoglou's wait for a first win as manager goes on. It was a really poor second half display, and they paid the price. Want to know what I loved about my time at Port Vale? It was the fact that they love playing Elvis' biggest tracks (I'm a huge Elvis fan). Yes, if you didn't catch it earlier, I used to work for Vale, and 'I Just Can't Help Falling In Love With You' is currently blaring out of the speakers. What a tune. What Arsenal can't help doing is keeping clean sheets, that's a fifth of the season for them already. The Gunners have only conceded twice in seven games in all competitions. Crazy. Trophy pushes are won on built on great defences. James Sharpe at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: Arsenal are safely through to the fourth round. It wasn't pretty, it wasn't convincing, at times it was tough to watch, but that doesn't matter. Port Vale can take a lot of positives away from this match, they pushed Arsenal all the way to the end. But the Gunners got the job done and make it a clean sweep for the Premier League sides tonight. What a way that would have been to cap off the win. Ethan Nwaneri is in acres of space, 25 yards out, so he just decides to have a dig. I mean, why not? It's one hell of a dig, too, as he rifles the ball toward the top corner. But Joe Gauci gets both hands to it. ANTONY TO THE RESCUE FOR BETIS! Nottingham Forest were so close to the perfect return to Europe, but Antony has gone and ruined it. The former Manchester United exile has turned from provider to scorer as he gets on the end of a low cross to smash into the corner. So cruel on Forest. I really don't get this. Many Port Vale fans are heading for the exits, and it's bizarre. When do these guys ever get to see their side play teams like Arsenal, almost never. So when you do, why leave early? Not exactly going to save you much time in the car park, is it? Heartbreak for Port Vale. .. Mikel Arteta's substitutions that I questioned have paid dividends. I mean, of course, they have. Leandro Trossard seals Arsenal's safe passage to the fourth round by getting on the end of William Saliba's lovely long ball, and driving the ball into the bottom corner. Job done. Results in the 7. 45pm kick-offs: Tottenham finish in style! It's so cool, and so calm from Brennan Johnson as he clips the ball over the goalkeeper to seal the victory. An easy night's work. My word, Mikel Arteta really isn't holding back. Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard are even getting minutes as Arsenal look to see this out. Goalscorer Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Martinelli make way. Cameron Humphreys, take a bow! Vikto Gyokeres is away; he gets that flip-flop-style run going, and it seems like the second is nigh. But nope, the Swede takes an age to pull the trigger and allows Humphreys to pull alongside him and block his effort. That's huge. A goal-saving block. What is going on? ? Arsenal have suddenly forgotten how to play football, and this time Kepa Arrizabalaga gives the ball away at the back. Devante Cole picks it up 25 yards out and sees his name in lights. This is his moment to be the hero. He goes for it. .. but the ball whistles just over the bar. Cristhian Mosquera, what are you doing? The Arsenal defender does the cardinal sin of passing across his own box, which is something you are taught not to do when you are playing kids footie at your local club. He is lucky that Port Vale don't know what to do with the ball when it comes their way, and Arsenal survive. William Osula at the double! It's a lovely team goal to cap off a brilliant performance by the reigning champions of this competition. Harvey Barnes sets up Osula, and all he has to do is tap into an empty net. Too easy. Erm, I'm sorry. .. what? Mikel Arteta is worried enough to bring on Viktor Gyokeres for these final 20 minutes. Now, that is something. I thought there would be no chance of the Swede coming on. Mikel Merino is off, while Gabriel replaces Ben White as Arteta goes real strong. Meanwhile, Devante Cole, son of Man United legend Andy, is on for Port Vale. Tom Collomosse at La Cartuja Stadium: Bradford have one back at St. James'! ! It may only be a consolation, but that is an absolute firecracker from the Bantams' number nine, Andy Cook. The ball drops to him on the edge of the box, and he hammers the ball in off the bar with some power. Sizzling strike. About time, eh? I'm surprised Mikel Arteta waited this long, but he finally decides to take off Bukayo Saka. 15-year-old Max Dowman is on to make his League Cup debut. I jinxed it. Just as I say, I haven't had to write about goals for a while, they start flowing in all at once again. classic. Joelinton has his second, Newcastle have a third, and the holders are all but through to the fourth round. Right on cue! Manchester City finally find a second, and once again Phil Foden is involved in it. He has almost no space to manoeuvre, but somehow he finds Savinho, who drives home. That should be that, you'd think. At the start of the night, I couldn't stop typing due to all the goals flying in everywhere. Well, now I'm struggling for things to write about. Not much is happening at Vale Park, or in the other games for that matter. (Do not mistake that for me hoping there are a million goals all at once) Ronan Curtis is not happy. He ends up in a heap on the floor after going up for a header with Christian Norgaard. It's a nasty elbow to the back from the Arsenal midfielder. Curtis gets up and the camera shows him saying something I can't repeat. You can imagine it. Moments later, he gets wrestled to the ground by Mikel Merino like this game is Wrestlemania. If I were Mikel Arteta, I would just take Bukayo Saka off. The winger looks OK and is up and walking, which will be a relief to the Spaniard, but there is no need to risk him further. He is playing with fire if he leaves Saka on, I'm telling you. Oh no. .. Bukayo Saka is down, and he looks in real pain; he is rolling about holding his ankle. It's a clean challenge from Rhys Walters to win the ball, but Saka has not come off well from it. Not a sight Mikel Arteta wants to see. That. Is. Brilliant. Joe Gauci, take a bow, my son. The Port Vale goalkeeper morphs into prime Manuel Neuer to thwart Gabriel Martinelli 30 yards from goal. Martinelli is a way on the counter, and Gauci doesn't hesitate to sprint out of his box, slide through him, and calmly pass the ball to his centre-back. Top quality. And just like that, we are up and running again? Can Arsenal streak away into the fourth round, or will Port Vale mount a surprise comeback? Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest are back playing in Seville. Tom Collomosse at La Cartuja Stadium: Ohhhh, you can't get any closer than that! I told you Newcastle were getting closer, and now Bruno Guimaraes smashes on against the bar. That made one hell of a thud, I think the bar is still shaking as I type this. Newcastle are threatening to hammer Bradford here. It may only be 2-0, but the holders are knocking at the door. In fact, they are trying to hammer it down. Anthony Gordon is in and drives one toward the bottom corner, but for the gazillionth time tonight, Sam Walker denies him. It feels like only a matter of time until that third goes in, though. So calm, so cool, so smooth. Arsenal's opening goal really was a thing of beauty, from Myles Lewis-Skelly's flick to Eberechi Eze's finish. It's a goal that showed Port Vale what they were up against in that first half, one of the best sides in Europe. It's what separates these sides, so far. By Ian Herbert At Vale Park Whistle-blowing everywhere. Nottingham Forest lead at the break over in Seville after eight minutes of madness. They went behind, but Igor Jesus turned things around in a flash. The Garibaldi are in dreamland. AS one half ends, three more begin. Oh, the joys. All the Premier League sides are coasting at the moment, but will one of them trip up in this second 45? Let's see, eh? So far, so good for Arsenal. They take a slender lead into the break here at Vale Park after what can only be described as a dominant display. I mean, Port Vale barely touched the ball until the 30th minute. That being said, it's only one goal, so Darren Moore and his men will be far from giving up. By Ian Herbert At Vale Park Oh yeah, we love that. Well, the Port Vale fans certainly do. The biggest cheer of the night comes as Jesse Debrah flies through Eberechi Eze. It's a brilliant tackle, and he actually gets the ball while snapping him in half, too. Bonus point. I thought that was the moment! Port Vale finally give Arsenal something to think about as Ronan Curtis causes chaos with an outswinging corner. Connor Hall gets his head to it and the ball bounces around in the box, before Hall then has another dig and the ball is blocked. They are at the races, at last. Ohhhhh, that's a huge chance! Eberechi Eze is in, surely he is going to make it two with his second of the match. Nope, he can't squeeze it past the onrushing Joe Gauci, who does brilliantly to deny him. It really should be two. Half-time in the 7. 45pm kick-offs: This is much, much better from Port Vale. I think they have had 21 passes in the last minute, let alone in 20, which is a good sign. They are pushing Arsenal further and further back, and we may actually have a game on our hands after all. Still, very little is happening in terms of chances, which is a little boring. Tom Collomosse at La Cartuja Stadium: If I were Darren Moore, I wouldn't actually be too miffed. For all of Arsenal's possession, they have done naff with it in the last 15 minutes. It's just been a whole load of passing. Port Vale are slowly starting to grow into the game, get more of the ball, and put some pressure on. They are only one goal behind; it's far from over. WHAT A TURNAROUND! Limbs in the Nottingham Forest away end, Igor Jesus has scored two in five minutes to turn this game around. He is left all on his own yet again and this time heads home from just six yards out. What a crazy 10 minutes in Seville. Port Vale have the ball, I repeat, Port Vale have the ball. Oh, wait, not anymore. That didn't last long. They make their way into the Arsenal half for the first time, and it brings a huge roar from the crowd, but after just a few passes, there is a big groan as Vale give the ball away. It's been that kind of game for them. WHAT A RESPONSE! Igor Jesus scores Nottingham Forest's first goal in European football for 30 seasons to get them back on level terms. Morgan Gibbs-White puts the ball on a plate for the forward and he just has to tap home from three yards out. And just like that, it's all square. My word, this really is a footballing clinic. Arsenal have limited Port Vale to just 21 passes of the football - that's one for every minute that has been played. Meanwhile, Arsenal have completed over 200, and there are no signs of them losing the ball anytime soon. They could do more with the ball, mind. Not many chances of note. Well, that wasn't quite the plan. Nottingham Forest now know just how brutal European football can be, as Cedric Bakambu smashes Real Betis in front. Bakambu may have scored the goal, but this is all about Antony in the build-up. Some run, some pass, and the striker does the rest. My goodness, this place really is quiet now. Arsenal have Port Vale chasing shadows. The Valiants can't even get a sniff of the ball right now. Frustration in this home crowd is starting to show, I've heard one or two fruity words used already. I mean, the Gunners are one of the best sides in the world, be easy on these lads. By Ian Herbert At Vale Park Well, those goals have killed this crowd. The Port Vale fans were in fine voice, but after just eight minutes their hopes were dashed. Arsenal are not messing about here, they want to blow the League One side away, and Ethan Nwaneri comes close with a bending effort. It whistles just past the post via a deflection. Ohhhhh, what a lovely goal! I'm sorry for the lack of updates, it's just going a bit mental everywhere at the moment. Arsenal have been all over Port Vale, and Eberechi Eze finishes off a lovely move to show why they are one of the best sides in the world. It doesn't look like we are getting many shocks tonight. OK, now this is just silly. .. . These Premier League sides are not helping me out at all, it's just goals, goals, goals. Two in two minutes for Newcastle, and Will Osula has them well on their way. Manchester City are off the mark. Now the Citizens are at it, and boy, this is some finish from Phil Foden. Outside the box, whack, into the net. Beautiful strike from Foden, just what his side needed after a slow start. Jeeez, Tottenham have no chill. This game is already over, and you have to feel for Jay Mc Grath who has a howler. He can't sort his feet out to clear and slides the ball into his own net. Oh dear, a long way back. The goals are all flying in at once! Joelinton won't score many easier goals than that in his career, as he reacts quickest to slide home a rebound from Anthony Gordon's effort. Great start for the holders. First blood to Tottenham! Lovely, lovely, lovely. Joao Palhinha opens the scoring in some style, netting via an overhead kick. It is into an empty net after some poor defending, but still, great technique. Off we go at Vale Park. There is a mammoth roar from all sides of the ground as the visitors get this game underway. And at the very same time, Nottingham Forest kick off their European adventure in Seville. Wow, just wow. As a man who has sat in the press box at Vale Park many a time, this is one of the best atmospheres I have ever seen at this place. It may even be the best. As always, the two teams walk out to 'Let Me Entertain You' from Vales' very own fan Robbie Williams. There is a huge buzz here, and there is even some pyro by the pitch - that's certainly new. The Wonder of You - an Elvis classic - is then belted out. I would say beautifully, but sadly it's not the most tuneful. The noise is there, though! Tom Collomosse at La Cartuja Stadium: Wow, what a sight, eh? My colleague Ian Herbert has just sent me this picture of the sun setting over Vale Park, and it's a beauty. Ian had better get inside the ground soon, though. .. kick-off is approaching. Hope he has his skates on. James Sharpe at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: How has Tel not scored that? ! Low ball from the right from Johnson and all Tel needs to do is tap it in from six yards. Any sort of contact and it's a goal but somehow he misses the ball completely. By Ian Herbert At Vale Park Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, on Sky Sports: By Ian Herbert At Vale Park We are off in three of our four Carabao Cup fixtures tonight. We will provide you with all the major updates from these games, and boy, do I hope we get some belters. Maybe we will even get a shock. .. By Ian Herbert At Vale Park John Rudge, the Port Vale manager who took charge against Arsenal in 1998, on Sky Sports: Goodness me, I can be slow sometimes. I have only just realised that all of tonight's fixtures see League One opposition taking on Premier League teams. I was about to say it's pretty mad, but is it really? I guess it's only the third round, so it's fairly normal. It's a big night for Port Vale, Huddersfield, Bradford City, and Doncaster Rovers. Can any of them spring shocks? Tom Collomosse at La Cartuja Stadium: Jamie Redknapp, former Tottenham midfielder, on Sky Sports: Tonight is going to bring back a lot of memories for Port Vale fans. Well, for those older than 27 years of age. The last time these two faced off, I wasn't even born. It was the 1997-98 campaign and Port 'The Giant Killers' Vale welcomed Arsenal to Vale Park in the FA Cup third round. It was a memorable night, with the Valiants managing to push the Gunners, who had the likes of Dennis Bergkamp on the pitch, all the way to a penalty shoot-out. Arsenal did get the job done via spot-kicks and went on to win the whole competition, but for Vale, it was still one hell of an evening. Can they go one step further tonight and actually beat the Gunners? I told you it was coming. Ange Postecoglou is going for it, that's for sure. But one surprise for me is that Chris Wood is only on the bench. .. Tom Collomosse at La Cartuja Stadium: Right, I can't forget about these guys. While there is a lot of Carabao Cup action for me to focus on, a big match is also happening in Seville, Spain. Nottingham Forest are playing a European fixture for the first time in 30 years. Yep, it's a big deal. Ange Postecoglou's side have arrived in Real Betis' backyard and look raring to go. I will bring you the team news soon, as well as updates later. Who saw this coming? I know that Mikel Arteta is desperate to win a trophy, but my word, I was not expecting him to name such a strong line-up. With Noni Madueke out for two months, you'd expect Arteta to want to wrap Bukayo Saka in cotton wool rather than risk him tonight. But nope, both he and Eberechi Eze are thrown into the fire against Port Vale. Huge call. Even William Saliba is playing, it's crazy. I'm not sure whether this is just risky or it shows the sheer depth and quality of Arsenal's squad right now. Maybe it's both? OK, Mikel, I see you. .. Arteta is not taking this game lightly; the Arsenal manager has named one hell of a line-up. Port Vale fans are in for a real treat seeing the likes of Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze ripping up the Vale Park turf. Well, not that they will want them to do any damage, mind. James Sharpe at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: Guess who is back, back again? That's right, Xavi's back, tell your friends. No, not the former Barcelona man, well, actually, he did play for them, but you know who I mean. Simons, not THE Xavi. Anyway, here is how Tottenham and Doncaster line-up. Want to know the team news from West Yorkshire? Don't worry, guys, I have you covered. Here is how both Huddersfield and Manchester City line up. The team news from St. James' Park is in. Eddie Howe has gone rather strong, in my eyes. Skipper Bruno Guimaraes even makes a return, as does Joelinton and Anthony Gordon. I told you it was a big night, didn't I? The holders start their Carabao Cup defence tonight, six months on from that magical night at Wembley. Newcastle fans must still feel like that March evening was a dream. Well, it wasn't, they really lifted their first domestic trophy in 70 years and are now ready to fight tooth and nail to keep it at St. James' Park. Eddie Howe's side are taking on Bradford City, and there is one reason above all else why they won't want to lose tonight. Nope, it's not because it means they will be knocked out, but rather that the club account will have to put up with thousands of replies that read, 'You've just been pecked by the chickens'. Don't ask. .. Darren Moore, Port Vale manager, on BBC Sport: It doesn't get much bigger than this for a club like Port Vale. How would I know that? Well, I'm going to let you guys in on a little secret. Go on, lean in. .. I'll whisper it. I used to work for the mighty Valiants. Yep, you heard it here first. I was there for a year, and after speaking to many connected with the club, I know just how much facing a team like Arsenal means to them. Vale Park is going to be bouncing at kick-off. The supporters are happy enough just seeing the Gunners come to town, no matter the result. Nevertheless, could the Valiants spring a shock? I mean, they have finally started winning games in League One, so they will be full of confidence. And of course, we expect the Gunners to be much changed. So, maybe, just maybe, they could stun Mikel Arteta's side. That being said, the Londoners are one of the best teams in the country and have one hell of a squad. Also, Arteta is desperate to win a trophy this season. It's set to be a blockbuster evening. As I said before, today is stacked. Not only have we got Carabao Cup action, but some European fun too. It's going to be a busy night. So, here are the games we will provide updates for: CARABAO CUP EUROPA LEAGUE Shall we turn back the clock around 20 hours-ish? Yeah, I think we should. .. There were 16 teams in action for the second week of third-round ties, and boy, was it eventful. Liverpool needed yet another late winner to progress at Southampton, with Hugo Ekitke getting one of the most daft sending-offs you will ever see. The £79m man took his shirt off after scoring the winner, which was odd enough considering it was a cup game against a Championship side, but he was also already on a yellow card. He was quickly shown a red card for the celebration and sent on the long, old walk back to the dressing room, wondering how he could have been so silly. I must admit, I laughed a lot. Elsehwere, their rivals Everton were dumped out by fellow Premier League side Wolves, while Fulham got past Cambridge United to go through. Chelsea, Wrexham, Wycombe, Cardiff, and Brighton also made it through to round four. I urge you to watch Diego Gomez's four goals from Brighton's win, by the way. Two of them are absolutely crazy. Anyway, now there are just four more slots to fill! Oh, we do love the cup, don't we? It's a chance for the minnows to get one over the big boys, and I mean, who doesn't love seeing that? It's human nature to back the underdog. David vs Goliath, Leicester's Premier League triumph, and in this very competition, Grimsby knocking out Manchester United. I'm sorry, United fans, but most of the UK general public wanted you knocked out that night. It's a fact. By the way, that's not to say I wanted that. I'm a professional, remember. Well, I try to be. Anyway, tonight we have another underdog story. League One Port Vale take on Arsenal in a bid to defy the odds and take down the country's second-best team. It is one of four Carabao Cup third-round ties tonight. It's another stacked night of midweek footie - got to love it. Oh yeah, and Nottingham Forest are playing in Europe for the first time in almost 30 years. We will be bringing you updates from that, too. So, without further ado, let's get stuck into the action. If Arsenal want to win trophies this season they n. ..

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