With the increase in fixture congestion across European football, top English clubs have used the early rounds of the Carabao Cup to give young players a chance to shine, allowing top stars to rest.
Just yesterday, Manchester City saw 16-year-old academy player Kaden Braithwaite become the club’s third-youngest defender ever to play for the side, and youngest since 1982.
Now, with Arsenal set to take on Bolton Wanderers in their own third round match, Mikel Arteta has also chosen to deploy some of the club’s young stars and allow them an opportunity to prove themselves in first-team action.
The Sporting News brings you the details on Arsenal’s newest debutant Jack Porter, who takes the field between the sticks and sets a club record in the process.
MORE: All the latest Arsenal news | Premier League schedule for 2024/25 | Latest Premier League top scorer rankings
Who is Jack Porter? Arsenal goalkeeper impressing at academy
Jack Porter joined the Arsenal academy in 2020, according to an official release by the club upon his debut.
Despite his young age, he made four appearances for the club’s U-18 side managed by Jack Wilshere last season, eventually signing a scholarship this past summer.
The young goalkeeper has been capped by the England U-16 side in the Football Federations Cup last season en route to winning the competition, eventually being moved up to the U-17 team where he made his debut against Germany back in August.
He was named to the Arsenal first-team bench for the first time just last week in the Champions League road trip against Atalanta, and was part of the traveling squad for the recent North London derby as well.
MORE: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he’s taken ‘more than influence’ from Jose Mourinho
Jack Porter sets Arsenal record for youngest starter
Born July 15, 2008, Jack Porter became Arsenal’s youngest-ever first-team starter when he was named to the starting lineup for the club’s EFL Cup third round match against Bolton on September 25.
At just 16 years 72 days old, Porter is the youngest player to ever start a match for the Gunners, and the second-youngest player ever behind Ethan Nwaneri, who came off the bench for a Premier League match in September 2022 at just 15 years, 181 days.
He also, of course, became the club’s youngest-ever goalkeeper, beating a 55-year-old record held by Malcolm Webster who at 18 years, 308 days debuted in 1969.
He had company in the XI on his debut, with two 17-year-olds and an 18-year-old in the lineup as well in Myles Lewis-Skelly (17), Nwaneri (17), and Josh Nichols (18). None of the four teenagers in the Arsenal XI were born when the Emirates Stadium opened back in July of 2006.
“We have got really good youngsters and we want to show them to the public,” said Arsenal academy boss Per Mertesacker, a former defensive star for the club, upon Porter’s debut. “I think Arsenal is all about giving young players an opportunity to play at the highest level.
Mertesacker then joked, “In the academy we are focused on the whole development, they are not only playing football. 
“They are doing much more. I think Jack Porter should have done his homework today instead!”
