Arsenal set to start 16-year-old Jack Porter against Bolton in Carabao Cup clash amid David Raya injury fears
ARSENAL are set to play a 16-year-old in goal in their Carabao Cup clash against Bolton.
First choice David Raya is sidelined with injury and second-choice Neto is cup-tied.
GettyJack Porter is set to make his Arsenal debut against Bolton[/caption]
ReutersDavid Raya suffered a knock against Man City and is unavailable[/caption]
So academy goalkeeper Jack Porter is set to make his debut for the Gunners aged just 16.
The youngster has just featured in one matchday squad for the first-team – sitting on the bench for the Champions League visit to Atalanta.
He only turned 16 in July and has made just six appearances for Arsenal Under-18s, and played once for the Under-21s.
But Porter will not be the youngest player to feature for the Gunners – Ethan Nwaneri holds that honour after making his debut at 15-years-old against Brentford two years ago.
Porter has had a touch of fortune given the injuries to Raya and third-choice goalie Tommy Setford, who arrived at Arsenal this summer.
Raya went down injured against Manchester City on Sunday and was seen limping with a bandage around his knee after the match.
His problem is believed to be minor however and he should be fit to face Leicester at the weekend.
Setford also has a fitness issue and has not been named in the squad since the international break.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Arsenal ratings vs Man City
TEN-MAN Arsenal came desperately close to beating Man City.
Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta’s men, John Stones popped up in the 98th minute to score an equaliser with the match ending 2-2.
Here’s how the players rated…
DAVID RAYA – 9
Well beaten for Haaland’s opener but continued his impressive start to the season with some super second half stops – notably from Haaland and Gvardiol.
RICARDO CALAFIORI – 8
A full debut the Italian won’t forget. Didn’t get close enough to Savinho for the opening goal but made amends with his stunning long range curler to level it.
GABRIEL – 9
Planted one header over but made no mistake with his second one just before the break to score for the second straight weekend.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 8
Clattered by Haaland early on and lost the Norwegian for City’s goal – but dusted himself down and led the rearguard action for the visitors superbly.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 8
Asked to play an unfamiliar role on the right but did a great job for his boss keeping the livewire Doku quiet – and did fine when Pep changed it around too.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
Caused Walker plenty of problems in the first half. Played the ball back for Calafiori to score and teed up another great chance for Trossard.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Helped Arsenal work their way back into the game after early onslaught – and protected the back four so well when City were camped on the edge of the box.
THOMAS PARTEY – 7
Quick thinking from free-kick led to equaliser – also involved in the collision with Rodri that changed the course of the game.
BUKAYO SAKA – 6
Always a threat with his corners – not least when Arsenal got their second. Subbed at the break to make way for an extra defender.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4
Steered good chance over. Booked for pulling back Savinho then a second yellow for barge on Silva and then delaying the restart. Stupid from the Belgian.
KAI HAVERTZ – 7
Early collision with Rodri and caused a few problems in the first half but then had to focus on helping his 10 man team out defensively.
SUBS
WHITE – 7
(For Saka 46) – Thrown on to shore up the defence at the break – and did exactly that.
KIWIOR – 6
(For Calafiori 74 )– Gave the Italian a rest for the final few minutes and kept it tight.
JESUS – 6
(For Martinelli 87) – Some good pressing against his old team in the closing minutes
LEWIS SKELLY – 6
(For Timber 90) – Good experience for the youngster but was bizarrely booked before even coming on for his debut.
Click here to read more on Arsenal.
David Raya limping as he leaves the Etihad Stadium. 🤕
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) September 22, 2024
🎥 @MailSport pic.twitter.com/tIQYSmCWP9
While second-choice keeper Neto is cup-tied and cannot play in the competition having started for Bournemouth in their second-round defeat to West Ham before he completed his transfer to North London.
That hands a chance to Porter, who has reportedly trained intermittently with the Arsenal squad since the 2022-23 season.
