Arsenal will 'force' Vale to be at their best - Moore

Darren Moore managed and played in the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion

Port Vale manager Darren Moore says Wednesday's Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal is a "wonderful game" that will force his side to produce their own "elite" performance.

Vale will take on the Premier League side - twice winners of the League Cup - in the third round at Vale Park (20:00 BST) having upset Championship side Birmingham City in round two.

"Every week you prepare to be the best. We do that every week in the league but the team we're playing on Wednesday forces you to have no room for error - in your work, preparation, performance," Moore told BBC Radio Stoke.

"It's a wonderful game for us all connected with the football club. It's a game that forces you, whatever area you're in, to be your best.

"It's the games that, every week, we're challenging ourselves to be in these situations where where want to be at our best."

Moore is using Arsenal's stature to challenge his players to find their maximum individual levels.

Vale have won their last two games in League One, against Mansfield and Exeter, to climb up to 19th in the table.

"We're playing a team that are one of the frontrunners to win the Premier League," he added.

"But it's a cup game, a one-off, and the players get to pit themselves against the elite, while trying to be elite themselves - that's the psychology."

Wednesday's meeting brings back memories of the last time Arsenal came to Burslem, 27 years ago in the FA Cup.

After a memorable battling 0-0 draw at Highbury, Vale took the-then Premier League champions to extra time in the replay before losing on penalties.

The return of the north London side to Vale Park will unite all ages of home supporters in a special way said Moore.

"There's a generation of Port Vale fans that have never experienced seeing a top-flight team come here since last time 20-odd years ago," he said.

"There are fans that were here then and are going to be here again, so there's two contrasting factors with the fans which makes it so special."

Port Vale took Arsenal to a replay in the third round of the FA Cup in January 1998 before losing on penalties

Vale come into the tie with the momentum of back-to-back wins in League One.

With his players in form, Moore says that gives him a "good" problem rather than a difficult one.

"This match has been hanging over us ever since the draw was made so, for the players to keep their focus and professionalism with those two games, I was delighted," he said.

"That's the job of the players - to perform well.

"You want that as a manager. It's not a tough decision but a welcome one because you have a group of players who are performing how they should.

"It's good for me. I just have to make the players are in the best frame of mind."

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is expected to rotate his star-studded squad for the tie but Moore said he is preparing to face a "top, top team" no matter who plays.

With more than 15,000 packing out Vale Park, Moore said he and his squad will enjoy the occasion.

"I've always said I've said I wanted to see it full," he said. "We'll see that on Wednesday and I'm honoured to be managing the club. It will be a proud moment."