Mikel Arteta handed opportunities to a number of Arsenal’s brightest Hale End academy talents last night.
There was a youthful edge to the Arsenal side that thrashed Bolton Wanderers 5-1 in an EFL Cup clash on Wednesday evening.
Mikel Arteta named a heavily rotated team for this fixture at the Emirates Stadium, just three days after the Gunners’ gruelling 2-2 Premier League draw with Manchester City.
Recognising the opportunity to make changes against League One opposition, four teenagers from the Hale End academy system made their first Arsenal starts against the Trotters, with a couple more afforded debuts from the bench.
16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter broke an Arsenal record as he took the place of the injured David Raya between the sticks.
The young goalkeeper was joined in the starting XI by Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Josh Nichols. Maldini Kacurri and Ismeal Kabia were handed runouts as second half substitutes.
Mikel Arteta reveals what Arsenal youngsters told senior stars
It was obviously a huge night for these Arsenal youngsters and an occasion they will never forget.
Such is the nature of elite level football, it is likely that for at least one of the Hale End gems to have featured in this match it will always remain a career high-point, for others involved it will mark the beginning of something much bigger.
In any case, the teenagers were given the chance to mark the occasion by speaking to the rest of the squad after the match.
As revealed by Arteta, quoted by the club’s official website: “They were buzzing after the game, they spoke to the players just to thank them as well, it was a nice moment.”
Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly send message vs Bolton
Whilst all of the young players involved against Bolton can be proud of their performances, Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly were the true stars of the show.
Arsenal fans will have been wowed by Lewis-Skelly, who caught the eye with his confidence, physicality, and assured passing.
Meanwhile, Nwaneri marked his first Arsenal start with his first Arsenal goals. The 17-year-old bagged a well-taken brace and made it abundantly clear with this display that he is now ready to represent the senior side on a more regular basis going forward.
Whilst he still needs to manage their development carefully, there will be a clamour for Arteta to afford this duo further opportunities this season.
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