Jack Porter has become the second youngest player in Arsenal’s history after being named in the starting line-up for Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup clash with Bolton Wanderers.
At 16 years and 72 days, having celebrated his birthday in July, Porter is behind only Ethan Nwaneri on the all-time list: Nwaneri debuted in 2022 at 15 years and 181 days. He has pushed Cesc Fabregas, who first played for Arsenal aged 16 years and 177 days in 2003, into third place.
Until now, Arsenal’s youngest goalkeeper had been Malcolm Webster, aged 18 years and 308 days, since 1969. Porter has broken this record by more than two years.
The 16-year-old has already had some exposure in first-team training in recent seasons and was on the bench for the recent Champions League tie against Atalanta. But his debut now has come largely as a result of circumstance.
First-choice goalkeeper David Raya picked up a thigh injury during the weekend’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City. Former substitute Aaron Ramsdale was sold to Southampton in the summer and replaced by veteran Brazilian player Neto, who is cup-tied in this competition.
Arsenal’s third choice this season is the slightly older 18-year-old Tommy Setford, recently signed from Ajax. But injury has denied him his own Gunners debut.
Porter wasn’t the only teenager on Mikel Arteta’s squad against Bolton. The aforementioned Nwaneri started on the right flank, with 17-year-old midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly getting the nod.
Arteta took the opportunity to give a first start in one arsenal shirt to senior star Raheem Sterling, who had only made substitute appearances since his summer move from Chelsea until now. Bukayo Saka led the team against City but the armband went to Jorginho for this one.
