Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal: Player ratings as Eze and Trossard send Gunners into next round

Arsenal secured their spot in the next round of the Carabao Cup as they defeated Port Vale 2-0 at Vale Park with goals from Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard.

Mikel Arteta capitalised on the chance to rotate his side, but that didn't decrease the quality as he fielded a strong team. Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Nørgaard were among those to come in with Gabriel Martinelli, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka also starting.

It was a great start for Arsenal as they took the lead after just eight minutes when Eberechi Eze grabbed his first goal for the club. Myles Lewis-Skelly flicked on a pass by Gabriel Martinelli for the summer signing to tuck into the bottom corner.

The Gunners went close to doubling the lead with Eze being denied a brace by a smart save by Joe Gauci. Mikel Merino played the number 10 into the box, but Eze was forced to shoot under pressure, allowing the shotstopper to keep it out.

As the half went on, Vale grew into the game and enjoyed a spell of possession in the minutes leading up to the break. However, Arsenal defended attacks and set pieces well to ensure they went into the halfway point with their lead intact.

As the Gunners continued their hunt for a second goal, Arteta made the change many fans had been waiting for just past the hour mark. Saka's night came to an end as he was replaced on the right flank by 15-year-old Max Dowman, coming on for his third senior appearance.

With the clock ticking down and the deficit still just one goal, the Valiants put more pressure on the Arsenal backline, prompting Kepa and Cristhian Mosquera to almost make some costly mistakes. The visitors came out unscathed however.

Dowman nearly made his mark in the late stages when he played a brilliant pass over the top for fellow substitute Viktor Gyökeres to run onto. The Swede set himself before shooting, but he was denied by a good sliding block.

It was another change that ended up sealing the deal for Arsenal though when Leandro Trossard, fresh off the bench, collected a long ball by William Saliba before firing into the bottom corner of the Vale net.

That win sends the Gunners into the fourth round and they will discover their opponents imminently once the draw takes place.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their 2-0 win over Port Vale.

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) - 7/10 - A solid debut for the Spaniard, keeping a clean sheet with no real trouble faced. Played the sweeper role well, coming out of his box a number of times to clear up threatening attacks.

Ben White (RB) - 7/10 - Did his job at right back, dealing with the hosts' wide threat well. Contributed in attack, making some good runs down the flank. Withdrawn late on.

William Saliba (CB) - 7.5/10 - Perhaps a shock inclusion, but he performed well at the back. Stood firm against Vale's brave press and assisted his side's second with a brilliant long pass.

Cristhian Mosquera (CB) - 7.5/10 - As has been the case so far in his Arsenal career, looked very solid in the backline. Almost made a costly mistake when he passed to a Vale forward under pressure, but got away with it.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (LB) - 7/10 - Showed his class as he played his usual inverted role well. Notched an assist with a clever flick for Eze to convert from the centre of the box.

Continued on next slide...