ARSENAL TO START 16-YEAR-OLD GOALKEEPER IN CARABAO CUP

September 25, 2024

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Arsenal are set to start 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Bolton Wanderers.

First-choice goalkeeper David Raya left Etihad Stadium with a bandage around his right knee after picking up an injury in last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Manchester City and is unlikely to be risked.

With Neto — a summer loan signing from Bournemouth — cup-tied and 18-year-old understudy Tommy Setford also injured, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is likely to call on Porter, who only turned 16 in July.

Porter has trained with the first team on a few occasions previously and was named among the substitutes for last week’s Champions League trip to Atalanta which ended 0-0.

He only signed scholarship terms with the Gunners in the summer and cannot agree a professional contract until next year when he turns 17.

Arteta is expected to rotate his side for the game against Bolton with youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Miles Lewis-Skelly among those set to be included, while Raheem Sterling could also make his first start after arriving on a season-long loan from Chelsea.