Arsenal's 16-year-old academy goalkeeper Jack Porter is set to start their Carabao Cup third-round tie against Bolton Wanderers. Porter is Arsenal's youngest-ever player to start a first-team game when he takes on Bolton in the Carabao Cup.
Arsenal are taking precautions over the fitness of first-choice goalkeeper David Raya, who left the Etihad Stadium on Sunday showing some signs of a knock. Experienced deputy Neto is cup-tied after playing for Bournemouth earlier in the competition and with 18-year-old summer signing Tommy Setford injured, Mikel Arteta has turned to Porter for tonight’s game at the Emirates Stadium.
Porter, who only turned 16 in July, has trained intermittently with the first team since the 2022-23 season. He has been a more regular presence in training over the last few weeks, and has made a positive impression with his handling, ball-playing ability, and confident personality. This summer, Porter signed his official scholarship terms. He has continued his development with Arsenal’s under-18 team, working closely with head of academy goalkeeping Mark Mason to prepare him for this kind of opportunity. His performances have earned him recognition at international level with the England Under-17s.
Porter's Rise
Porter has already had some opportunity to acclimatise to the first-team environment. When Arsenal travelled to face Atalanta in the Champions League, Porter was named on the substitutes bench. His selection against Bolton is a significant show of faith in his potential.
A Record-Breaking Debut?
If Porter plays against Bolton, he will become Arsenal’s second-youngest debutant behind Ethan Nwaneri — who featured in a Premier League game against Brentford aged 15 years and 181 days in September 2022 — and the youngest ‘keeper since Malcolm Webster, who made his debut aged 18 years and 308 days in 1969. Porter is 16 years and 72 days old and his selection would move Cesc Febregas (16 years and 177 days) down to third on Arsenal’s youngest-ever player list.
A Mix of Youth and Experience
Raya’s injury is believed to be minor, and he is expected to be in contention to face Leicester City in the Premier League this weekend. Arsenal’s team for the Bolton game is otherwise expected to be a mix of youth and experience. Experienced first-team members including Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling are set to join academy prospects like Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly in the Arsenal XI.
Bolton's Challenge
Bolton may have slipped down the English pyramid, but back when they were in the top-flight, they used to be a bit of a bogey team for Arsenal. Stelios Giannakopoulos and Justin Hoyte share their memories of how Big Sam liked to spoil the Arsène Wenger party in the league. That being said, they do have some fine moments against the Gunners in cup competitions as well.
A Look Ahead to the Match
The match kicks off at 7.45pm BST and will be a big test for the young goalkeeper. Bolton will be looking to cause an upset and will be hoping to take advantage of Arsenal's weakened defense.
A Historic Night for Porter
Whether Porter can keep a clean sheet or not, he will undoubtedly make history as Arsenal's youngest-ever goalkeeper to start a first-team game. This is a momentous occasion for the young player and his family, and it is a testament to his hard work and dedication. It is also a sign of the faith that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has in him, and a clear indication that the future is bright for Porter. This is a story that is sure to capture the attention of football fans around the world, and it will be interesting to see how Porter performs on the big stage.
