Eberechi Eze scored his first Arsenal goal as the Gunners beat a spirited Port Vale side 2-0 in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Eze's early goal had set up what might have been a straightforward evening for Mikel Arteta's side but the Valiants were in the tie until Leandro Trossard came off the bench to smash in a second.
Eze's finished oozed composure having seized upon Myles Lewis-Skelly's deft flick following good work by Gabriel Martinelli but Vale had hung in there for the rest of the half in front of their biggest crowd this century, the League One side competing admirably.
- Match stats | How the teams lined up
- Got Sky? Watch Carabao Cup on the Sky Sports app 📱
- Not got Sky? Get instant access with no contract 📺
Arteta had faced criticism for playing with the handbrake on and how he would have loved a flurry of goals to counter that accusation. It was certainly an attacking line-up, one that included Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri as well as Eze and Martinelli.
But they had to wait for the second goal and Devante Cole, son of the former England striker Andrew who started his career at Arsenal, came off the bench to give the Premier League heavyweights a scare when he flashed an effort just over the top of the crossbar.
Vale Park had earlier been rocking to the sound of Robbie Williams and a stirring rendition of Elvis Presley's The Wonder of You, the sense of occasion palpable in the Potteries. Be loud, be proud, be Valiant was the message and they took it to heart.
But Trossard's intervention ended the resistance. There was a hint of offside about it when he latched onto William Saliba's long pass but with no VAR there was no reprieve for Vale. A big night for the club in front of 16,326 fans but it is Arsenal who progress. They face Brighton in the fourth round at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta: Our reputation was at stake
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta speaking to Sky Sports:
"The biggest thing that's at stake is your reputation, that's a big thing. We tried not to give them momentum.
"We lacked a bit of control, but some impact players win us the game. They played direct, and are really good at it. It's a game we want to avoid. We had moments we were very dominant and very good."
On Saka: "Maximum for him was 60 minutes. He comes from an important injury and we need to manage his load. He will be around for the weekend, yes."
On Eze: "That is why he is here, to win football matches and generate impact with creativity and threat. He should have scored another two I think. He's a player that needs to be in touch with the ball and we'll find different ways of doing that."
Eze on 'very special' first goal
Player of the match Eberechi Eze speaking to Sky Sports about his goal:
"Very special. Something I've been working towards for a long time.
"It's a difficult place to come, solid team, it's important to get a first goal and move forwards.
"There is a lot of depth in the squad, special players coming off the bench who can bring fresh energy."
Moore proud of dogged Vale
Port Vale boss Darren Moore speaking to Sky Sports:
"We knew there would be spells where they had the ball, but after conceding the early goal, we stayed compact. We tried to open up for the last 20 minutes, and it's disappointing to concede a second.
"To concede in the first 10 minutes, the boys kept their composure and discipline. That's the most pleasing thing. They showed courage and determination, and did the club proud.
"We played against an elite team, a top, top team, and we stayed in connection. I've got to be proud."