Arsenal tonight hand a debut to 16-year-old Jack Porter in the Carabao Cup, with David Raya not fit to face Bolton.
Raya was filmed limping leaving Etihad Stadium on Sunday after Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City and has not been passed fit for Wednesday’s third-round clash.
Porter is the next in line to replace Raya as both Arsenal’s No2 and No3 goalkeepers - Neto and Tommy Setford - are unavailable. Neto, who joined on loan from Bournemouth on transfer deadline day, is cup-tied and Setford is out with a hip injury.
It means Porter makes his debut at the age of just 16, and Mikel Arteta is confident the teenager will be prepared.
He said: “We have to wait and see what the situation is going to be. But that’s why we train with four, sometimes five goalkeepers - we want them all around.
“They have to be prepared and these things happen. Whoever plays, for sure he will be prepared.”
Arsenal have several teenage goalkeepers they could have called upon, including Alexei Rojas, Brian Okonkwo and Lucas Nygaard.
Porter, however, has been giving the nod, having been acting as Arsenal’s No3 goalkeeper in the absence of Setford. The 16-year-old travelled to Atalanta and Manchester City last week and helped Neto and Raya warm up ahead of the games.
Porter only signed scholarship terms with Arsenal in the summer and he cannot sign a professional contract until he turns 17 in July next year. He is highly thought of by Arsenal, though, and played for their Under-18s before becoming a scholar. He has represented England at youth level.
Arsenal’s academy staff describe Porter as a confident goalkeeper, on and off the pitch. He is liked due to his ability on the ball and the way he helps the defence play out from the back.
A good shot-stopper, Porter earned praise from Arsenal’s Under-21 boss Mehmet Ali after he made a number of fine saves on his debut for them last month in a 3-1 win over Wolves.
Arsenal had wanted to sign a new No3 goalkeeper this summer after allowing Karl Hein to go out on loan to Real Valladolid.
They made an approach to Wolves for Dan Bentley, but their offer of £50,000 was rejected. The Gunners could return for him next summer, though, as his contract expires then. The 31-year-old came through Arsenal’s academy, leaving in 2008, and would help towards their homegrown quota.
