Mikel Arteta was delighted with the fine performances of his four youngsters in Arsenal’s 5-1 League Cup win over Bolton on Wednesday, with goalkeeper Jack Porter becoming the club’s youngest ever player at 16.
Arsenal swept aside Bolton (5-1) with four teenage novices on Wednesday in the third round of the English League Cup. A moment of history for Jack Porter who became at 16 years and 77 days the youngest player of the club to play for the Gunners. He dethrones Cesc Fabregas (16 years and 177 days in 2003) and even registers as a hypothesis to replace David Raya, injured, during the next meeting since the understudy Neto was also unavailable.
“Seeing their faces is unforgettable.”
Three days after the draw against Manchester City (2-2), Mikel Arteta had started three other members of the training center: right-back Josh Nichols (18 years old), left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly (17 years old) and midfielder Ethan Nwaneri (17 years old) who shone by scoring a double. A perfect debut hailed by the Spanish coach with a touch of humor:
“There are a few players who have school in the morning! They are buzzing.”
Arteta then enthused about his ‘Baby Gunners’ performance, calling for a slowdown. “Ethan was really good,” he said. “A really good performance. He feels like an integral part of the team with that confidence and belief. Starting in the Premier League is another step. He’s ahead of where we expected him to be. He’ll get game time. He deserves it.”
He also hails Jack Porter’s big debut. “It was a big step for Jack. He was over the moon. His family were nervous. But he did really well. What a way to break a record. He trained with us. We thought he was ready. We thought he was the right choice. It’s a really positive night. We gave a lot of academy players a chance and they responded really well. To see their faces, their reactions, it was a great night.”
