Eberechi Eze netted his first goal for Arsenal as the Gunners secured a 2-0 victory over League One side Port Vale to book their place in the Carabao Cup fourth round.

The £60m summer signing opened the scoring in the eighth minute, calmly finishing from a Gabriel Martinelli assist. It was Eze’s first goal in his sixth appearance for the club, and he almost doubled his tally before half-time when he was played through by Mikel Merino, only to be denied by Port Vale goalkeeper Joe Gauci.

Despite the early breakthrough, Arsenal were tested by their spirited hosts. Port Vale, promoted to League One last season, looked dangerous from set-pieces and nearly equalised late on when substitute Devante Cole curled a long-range effort just over the bar.

With the game still in the balance, Leandro Trossard struck late to seal Arsenal’s progression into the fourth round.