Teenage goalkeeper Jack Porter made his Arsenal debut on Wednesday night.
Mikel Arteta called upon Hale End academy shot-stopper Jack Porter for Arsenal’s EFL Cup clash with Bolton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium.
Porter made Arsenal history with this appearance, as he became the North London club’s youngest ever goalkeeper debutant.
The 16-year-old’s services were required due to the recent injury sustained by David Raya. Arteta is keen to treat the Spain international’s knock with caution, and was unwilling to take an unnecessary risk by playing the former Brentford man in this cup fixture.
Meanwhile, summer arrival Neto was ineligible to play in this game due to being cup-tied in this competition. The Bournemouth loanee made an EFL Cup appearance earlier this season, prior to joining the Gunners on Transfer Deadline Day.
Jack Porter fact will delight Arsenal fans at the expense of Tottenham Hotspur
Porter made his debut at 16 years and 72 days old, having been born on July 15th 2008.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur last won a trophy 16 years 6 months and 20 days ago, when they triumphed in the EFL Cup final on February 24th 2008.
The fact that Arsenal now have players featuring in the first team who were born after their fierce local rivals’ most recent trophy win will delight and amuse Arsenal supporters.
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How did Jack Porter fare against Bolton Wanderers?
Despite circumstances conspiring to rob Arteta of his two senior goalkeeper options, it was still a huge show of faith from the Spanish coach to turn to Porter. He could easily have preferred 18-year-old Alexei Rojas, for instance, but he was restricted to a place on the bench.
Ahead of the match, Aaron Ramsdale sent a message to Porter, showing his support for the teenager.
On top of that, Arteta praised Porter after the 5-1 win over Bolton, and it was surely a night that the youngster will always remember.
Porter ought to be proud of his performance, too. There was little he could do to prevent the visitors’ goal, and one misplaced pass nearly resulted in disaster, but in general he looked like a composed figure at the back, and did well to claim a number of high balls in his penalty area.