Who is Jack Porter? Arsenal goalkeeper, 16, set to replace David Raya in Carabao Cup

There's set to be a surprise Arsenal debut for 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter in their Carabao Cup clash with Bolton Wanderers.

The Gunners host their League One opponents in the third round of the competition this Wednesday, with Mikel Arteta expected to ring the changes amidst a packed fixture schedule. And one of them will definitely be in between the sticks.

No. 1 David Raya picked up a knock in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Manchester City, so he's likely to be rested as a precaution. His usual replacement would be summer loan signing Neto, but he's cup-tied having already played for Bournemouth.

Third-choice shot-stopper Tommy Setford, who joined from Ajax's academy in July, has a hip injury. So Arteta is turning to youngster Porter, who's stepped up in Setford's absence and will become Arsenal's second-youngest debutant behind Ethan Nwaneri.

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He joined the club back in 2020, putting pen to paper on scholarship terms earlier this year shortly after turning 16. Porter had already represented the under-18s on a handful of occasions last season, as well as representing England at youth level.

Born in July 2008, he can't sign a professional contract until he turns 17 next year. He made his debut for the under-21s last month in a 3-1 victory against Wolves, making several saves and earning praise from boss Mehmet Ali.

On Arsenal's club website, Porter is described as "a confident goalkeeper on and off the pitch". It's added: "In possession he's very good at helping the team start the attack. Out of possession, he is agile and a good shot-stopper."

It's for those reasons he's rated above fellow teenagers Alexei Rojas, Brian Okonkwo, Khari Ranson and Lucas Nygaard, all of whom are older than him. Rojas and Rhanson are expected to be included in the matchday squad as back-up.

Porter fits Arteta's style and he therefore travelled for Arsenal's last three away outings - the North London Derby, the Champions League tie away at Atalanta last week and to Manchester at the weekend - helping Neto and Raya warm up ahead of the games. Arteta holds no reservations about playing him as he's been increasingly involved in first-term training since the 2022/23 season.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Spaniard 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.”

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