Mikel Arteta could do something for the first time in Arsenal history vs Bolton in Carabao Cup

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Arsenal take on Bolton Wanderers in their first game of this season’s Carabao Cup.

The Gunners had to go through three gruelling away fixtures in the space of seven days. Mikel Arteta’s side remained unbeaten, and they are now finally back at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal will want to keep their unbeaten run going, and they will definitely go into the game against Bolton as the favourites.

Arteta is expected to make a number of changes, and he could do something that no manager in Arsenal’s history has dared to do before.

Jack Porter could start for Arsenal vs Bolton in the Carabao Cup

Injuries haven’t been kind to Arsenal so far this season.

The Gunners have been without Takehiro Tomiyasu since the start of the campaign, while Mikel Merino got injured in his very first training session.

Martin Odegaard is also out injured at the moment, which is a huge blow, but the Gunners could have another big problem.

David Raya was spotted limping out of the Etihad after Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Manchester City, and it would be a big risk to use him against Bolton on Wednesday night.

The Daily Mail claim that Raya is ‘likely to be rested’ in the Carabao Cup clash, but that decision is not as straightforward as it seems.

That’s because Raya’s backup, Neto, is cup-tied having played in the competition already this season, while third-choice goalkeeper Tommy Setford is currently injured.

The report claims that this could force Arsenal and Arteta to give young Jack Porter his debut in goal against Bolton.

READ MORE: Who is Jack Porter and the five other wonderkids on Arsenal’s bench vs Atalanta

Porter could break two records if he plays vs Bolton

Porter is just 16 years old and has been at Arsenal for four years now. He was officially named as a scholar in July 2024.

Arteta has shown that he isn’t afraid to deploy young players in his senior side, and a few Arsenal academy gems could get some game time against Bolton.

If Porter plays in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, he will become the youngest goalkeeper in Arsenal’s history to make a senior appearance for the club.

Arsenal have never used a goalkeeper under the age of 18. Malcolm Webster is the youngest goalkeeper to play for the club – he set that record all the way back in the 1969/70 season, less than a couple of months before his 19th birthday.

To add to that, if Porter gets a chance, he will become the youngest goalkeeper in the history of the League Cup as well.

Just recently, Porter broke a Champions League record by becoming the youngest goalkeeper to be named in the matchday squad.