Port Vale boss brings in lucky omen for rousing Arsenal speech - 'I don't see why not'

Port Vale head coach Darren Moore has called upon club legend Sir John Rudge in a bid to inspire a Carabao Cup giant-killing against Arsenal. The former West Brom boss has guided his team to back-to-back League One victories ahead of the visit of the Gunners.

Ahead of the game, Moore drafted in Rudge to address his stars as he has experience when it comes to going to the distance with Arsenal.

Back in 1998, title-chasing Arsenal were drawn against Port Vale in the third round of the FA Cup. It looked a routine victory on paper but Vale earned a goalless draw at Highbury to secure a replay back in the Potteries.

Ten days later, Dennis Bergkamp gave the Gunners the lead but Port Vale fought back and sent the game to penalties after Wayne Gordon equalised.

Arsene Wenger's double winners suffered a lucky escape and battled their way through into the fourth round but the tie serves as a reminder that anything is possible on the night.

So much so, Rudge, who has a statue outside Vale Park, wants Moore's squad to use his tales as inspiration to go one better and create history. Rudge said during the speech which was posted on the club's social media channels: "I know it's going to be a difficult match for you all but you never know."

Moore then added: "Lads, I said to him when he was coming in here that he's done a fair few team talks in his career, so come in and let the boys hear you speak now.

"Absolute top man, on Fridays once we've finished out work, me and him have 10 minutes and he just shares things with me because he knows exactly where I am.

"I think it's essential that he came in today just to give you a little snippet, you heard him, a good team is coming here tomorrow but I don't see why not, why we can't do something in our own backyard.

"Savour the moment, savour the occasion and let's just get ready for tomorrow."

Moore is no stranger to upsetting the odds, either. Back in 2018, his West Brom side ran out 1-0 winners over Jose Mourinho's Manchester United at Old Trafford to crown Manchester City Premier League champions.

During his playing career, he was also part of the WBA side that beat the Gunners 2-1 at The Hawthorns during the 2005-06 campaign.

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