Arsenal had a historic moment in the League Cup with the debut of Jack Porter, a goalkeeper who’s only 16 years old. Born in 2008, Porter has become the youngest player to ever start a competitive match for the Gunners, breaking the record previously held by Cesc Fàbregas.

At just 16 years and 72 days old, the young keeper took his place between the posts in a crucial game against Bolton, in a tournament that, while not as important as the Premier League, is still a key stage for rising stars.

Porter’s unexpected debut came amidst an injury crisis within the squad. With first-choice David Raya out due to muscle issues, and Neto unavailable after already playing in the competition for Bournemouth, Mikel Arteta was left with few options. Faced with this situation, the Spanish coach decided to place his trust in the young talent, who normally plays for the club’s U-18 team.

Porter isn’t an unknown name around Arsenal’s academy. Since arriving at Hale End in 2020, he’s been part of the goalkeeping development under the guidance of Iñaki Cana, one of the most respected youth coaches in football. Despite his young age, Porter has shown maturity and skill, which earned him his first call-up to the senior team in a Champions League match, though he didn’t leave the bench.

Porter’s debut has sparked a wave of praise from experts and fans alike. Among them, Jeorge Bird, a well-known youth football analyst in England, highlighted Porter as one of the most highly-rated goalkeepers at the club at such a young age. “It’s rare to see a goalkeeper this young get such an opportunity, and what’s even more impressive is that he’s proven himself,” Bird said.

This debut marks a milestone in Porter’s career, who has also represented England’s U-17 national team. Although his journey is just beginning, the young keeper has already made it clear that he has the potential to become a key figure between the posts for Arsenal. With this performance, he’s earned a spot in the club’s history and the respect of his teammates and coaches.

The future looks bright for Jack Porter, a young goalkeeper with huge potential, and despite his age, he’s already starting to write his name in Arsenal’s golden history.