Arsenal youth star set to join Max Dowman in Port Vale squad as duo miss out

Arsenal U21s picked up a 2-1 victory in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night on the road at League Two side Newport County. Given the clash took place just 24 hours before Mikel Arteta's Gunners travelled to Port Vale in the Carabao Cup, Max Porter's squad selection was bound to offer some potential clues as to whether any youngsters could be involved at Vale Park.

In the past, Arteta has used the early rounds of the competition to cast an eye over the next generation of Hale End talent. Last season, goalkeeper Jack Porter started between the sticks as Arsenal thumped Bolton Wanderers 5-1 at the Emirates Stadium to reach round four.

He played the full 90 minutes as back-up goalkeeper Neto was ineligible after previously featuring for Bournemouth earlier in the competition. Porter, alongside Max Dowman, was not involved for Arsenal's young Gunners last night at Newport, hinting he will be part of the first-team squad tonight in the Potteries.

Dowman, who won a penalty on his Premier League debut against Leeds last month, made more history on Saturday when he became Arsenal's youngest-ever goalscorer in Premier League 2 as he netted the winner at Wolves.

Defenders Josh Nichols (subbed in stoppage time) and Marli Salmon did, however, play 90 minutes in Wales which suggests they're unlikely to be involved against Port Vale. Both players caught the eye in pre-season and were included in Arteta's squad for the club's tour of the Far East.

Salmon, 16, is being tipped for a big future in north London and given William Saliba has only just returned from an ankle issue, it was not out of the question that he might be involved in the squad on Wednesday evening. In the past, players that have been subbed in the second half of an Arsenal U21s match have still featured on the bench the following evening.

If that is anything to go by, there is an outside chance playmaker Harrison Dudziak and Sebastian Ferdinand might be involved. However, Arsenal's depth is now stronger than ever and Arteta is expected to name a strong starting XI made up of first-team players as the Gunners bid to get back to winning ways.

Dowman is in line to feature while fellow Hale End graduates Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are expected to be handed their first starts of the season.

If Porter is involved as anticipated, he will likely have to settle for a place on the bench as Kepa Arrizabalaga is in line to make his debut.

Arteta said on Tuesday during his pre-match press conference: "Yes, it's a lot of players, obviously, that are going to take part of that, that they fully deserve minutes. Kepa, for sure, is one of them. He's been with us, his attitude, the way he supports every aspect of his role in the best possible manner and others as well. Probably they deserve more minutes as well."

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