Football

Mikel Arteta Could Hand 16-Year-Old Goalkeeper His Arsenal Debut In Carabao Cup Clash

Ben Horlock Sports Editor

Published25 Sep 2024

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Arsenal get their 2024/25 Carabao Cup campaign underway on Wednesday night with 16-year-old Jack Porter set to start in goal.

The Gunners welcome League One side Bolton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium and will be confident of maintaining their unbeaten start to the season.

However, the game might not be as straightforward as many believe with a minor injury crises occurring in between the sticks. David Raya is almost certain to miss out.

On Sunday, the Spaniard was seen leaving the Etihad with a bandaged knee. Whether he is ed fit, risking him is out of the question from boss Mikel Arteta’s perspective.

Backup goalkeeper Neto is cup-tied owing to his earlier involvement with Bournemouth in the competition. Summer g Tommy Setford is also an injury doubt. The 18-year-old ed from Ajax and has struggled for fitness.

Therefore, fourth choice shot stopper Jack Porter is ready to make his bow. But just who is the 16-year-old Gunner set to make his professional debut?

🚨 It’s a big night for 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter, who is set to start Arsenal’s Carabao Cup tie against Bolton Wanderers this evening.

Club taking a precautionary stance over Raya after minor injury against Man City.@TheAthleticFC 🔴⚪️https://t.co/iSF3eMftqT

— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) September 25, 2024

Who Is 16-Year-Old Arsenal Goalkeeper Jack Porter?

Having only turned 16 in July, Jack Porter is in line to make history on Wednesday night. He will become Arsenal’s youngest ever goalkeeper if he features in the Carabao Cup.

Porter only signed his scholarship contract in the summer and is a key player for Per Mertesacker’s academy side. For the U18 team this season, Porter has made six appearances.

Wearing the No.92 jersey, Porter has already been tipped by a bright future at the Emirates. Subsequently, he has already featured for the U21’s and was named on the first team bench for the recent Champions League fixture against Atalanta.

Naturally, Porter has a long way to go to match the levels of fellow academy star Bukayo Saka. The England international has a higher market value of almost ten times that of Wednesday’s visitors Bolton Wanderers.

Porter has featured a number of times for the Three Lions youth teams. Therefore, seeing him and Saka on the same pitch for club and country isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.

Ahead of tonight’s clash, the best football betting sites in the UK price the Gunners at 17/2 to win 4-0. Thus, giving Porter a clean sheet on his professional debut.