Who is Arsenal goalkeeper Jack Porter and why the 16-year-old is set for Gunners debut vs Bolton Wanderers

Arsenal supporters and football fans may be surprised to see Jack Porter playing in goal for Arsenal tonight as Mikel Arteta may be forced to play the 16-year-old against League One opposition Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup.

The Gunners' number one shot-stopper David Raya is nursing an injury and could miss out of the fixture. It is normal for Premier League sides to rotate keepers for the club but Arsenal have a unique situation given that summer loan signing Neto is ineligible to play.

The 35-year-old has already played for AFC Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup this season and is therefore cup-tied and unable to represent the Gunners. Third choice Tommy Setford is also out of action as the 18-year-old recovers from a hip injury.

LondonWorld has all you need to know about Jack Porter and the goalkeeping conundrum facing Arsenal this evening.

Who is Arsenal goalkeeper Jack Porter?

Jack Porter is a 16-year-old goalkeeper who is currently part of the Arsenal youth set-up. He has turned out for the under-18 side this season but has never made a first team appearance.

The shot-stopper has faced West Ham and Southampton in the under-18 Premier League this term but conceded five goals in those two games. He has also had an outing for the under-21 side, facing Wolves in a 3-1 Premier League 2 victory.

Porter does know the first team squad at Arsenal having trained with the group. Given the injury to Setford, the teenager travelled to Atalanta in the Champions League and Manchester City in the Premier League with Arteta's squad.

Ahead of those matches, Porter could be seen warming up with David Raya and Neto and was named on the bench against Atalanta. He was not in the squad against Manchester City.

The goalkeeper only signed a scholarship with Arsenal this summer. He is not eligible to sign a professional contract with the North London club until he turns 17 in July 2025.

What has Mikel Arteta said?

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has remained calm at the idea of not having any of his three first choice goalkeepers available to face Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday night. The Spaniard sent a message of confidence to 16-year-old Porter this week.

Previewing the cup tie, Arteta 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.”

David Raya injury latest

The Arsenal first choice goalkeeper has started every game in every competition for the club so far this season. The former Brentford man made last season's loan move permanent for £27 million this summer, having ousted Aaron Ramsdale from the starting XI over the last campaign.

Raya played the full match against Manchester City on Sunday but did require treatment for an injury during the second half. The Catalan completed the game but could be seen with strapping on his knee and limping after the match.

Speaking about his fitness, Arteta said: "Let’s see how they are today. We’ll try to make a call on that if we believe that’s a possibility.”