Arsenal’s 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter will start the Carabao Cup third round clash against Bolton Wanderers.

Arsenal are taking precautions over the fitness of first-choice goalkeeper David Raya, who left the Etihad Stadium on Sunday with signs of an injury.

Experienced substitute Neto is absent from the cup having previously featured in the competition for Bournemouth, while 18-year-old summer signing Tommy Setford is out with an injury, so Mikel Arteta has called on Porter for tonight’s clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Porter, who only turned 16 in July, has been training with the first team on and off since the 2022-23 season. He has been more present at training in recent weeks and has made a positive impression with his handling, ball skills and confident personality.

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This summer, Porter officially signed his 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 such opportunities. His performances have earned him recognition at international level with England Under-17s.

Porter has had some time to acclimatise to the first-team environment. When Arsenal travelled to face Atalanta in the Champions League, Porter was named on the bench. His selection against Bolton is a major vote of confidence in his potential.

If Porter plays against Bolton, he will become Arsenal’s second-youngest debutant after Ethan Nwaneri (who made his debut in a Premier League match against Brentford in September 2022 at the age of 15 years and 181 days) and the youngest goalkeeper since Malcolm Webster, who made his debut in 1969 at the age of 18 years and 308 days.

Porter is 16 years and 72 days old and his selection moves Cesc Febregas (16 years and 177 days) down to third place on the list of Arsenal’s youngest ever players.

Raya’s injury is not believed to be serious and he is expected to play against Leicester City in the Premier League this weekend.

Arsenal’s squad for the match against Bolton is expected to be a mix of youth and experience. Experienced first-team players including Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling will join academy talents such as Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly in the Arsenal XI.

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(Photo: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)