How Arsenal feel about David Raya’s injury and when he is expected to return after Bolton absence

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Arsenal will be without David Raya when they host Bolton Wanderers in an EFL Cup clash this evening. 

Arsenal will have a new face between the sticks when League One Bolton come to the Emirates Stadium. 

As summer signing Neto is cup-tied in this competition, teenage shot-stopper Jack Porter will be given the nod by Mikel Arteta to make his debut for the Gunners. 

However, fans will be concerned by David Raya’s absence. The Spaniard is the North London club’s established No. 1 and has been in exceptional form this season so far.

Arsenal fans have heaped praise on Raya for his recent displays, and the Gunners will certainly feel less secure without him at the back this evening. 

However, this news will not come as an enormous shock either, as Raya was seen bandaged and limping after Sunday’s clash with Manchester City.

• READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s David Raya from his girlfriend to tattoo

Arsenal taking no chances with David Raya injury

Arteta is taking a cautious approach with the 29-year-old.

As reported by journalist James McNicholas for The Athletic: “Arsenal are taking precautions over the fitness of first-choice goalkeeper David Raya, who left the Etihad Stadium on Sunday showing some signs of a knock.

The manager is correct not to take any chances with the goalkeeper. If there is one match that Arsenal can afford to be without the Euro 2024 winner for, with all due respect to Bolton, it is this one.

There may well be some frustrations within the club, though, that they were not able to seal a loan deal for Neto this summer before he featured in the EFL Cup for Bournemouth.

When will David Raya return from injury?

Arsenal are clearly hoping that their safety-first method of handling this situation will result in Raya’s period on the sidelines being mercifully short.

As the aforementioned report states: “Raya’s injury is believed to be minor, and he is expected to be in contention to face Leicester City in the Premier League this weekend.”

It would be a disaster for the Gunners if Raya were to be kept out of the side for an extended period.

Raya has been better than ever for Arsenal in recent weeks, and with Aaron Ramsdale no longer at the club there is now a distinct difference in quality between Arteta’s first and second choice options to don the gloves.