Arsenal cruised into the fourth round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night with a crushing victory over League One Bolton at the Emirates.
Raheem Sterling scored his first goal for the club shortly after the hour mark, with Kai Havertz and Declan Rice also on the scoresheet for the Gunners.
However, it was a night for the youngsters in North London, with 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri scoring either side of half-time for his maiden goals in an Arsenal shirt.
Nwaneri became the youngest player in both Arsenal and Premier League history in September 2022 when he made his debut for the club against Brentford aged just 15. A similar record was broken by goalkeeper Jack Porter on Wednesday night.
16-year-old Porter became the youngest player ever to start a senior game for Arsenal, as he was named between the sticks in the absence of David Raya. At 16 years and 77 days, Porter broke Cesc Fabregas' previous record, set in 2003.
Porter impressed between the sticks, showing bravery in commanding his box from set pieces and displaying his ability to rush out and calmly deploy as a sweeper at points, particularly in the first half while the game remained finely poised.
After the game, the youngster came in for praise from manager Mikel Arteta. On a night when plenty of Arsenal youth shone, Porter stood out - and the goalkeeper is reportedly Irish-eligible.
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Record-breaking Arsenal goalkeeper is Irish-eligible
Speaking to the press after Arsenal's 5-1 win over Bolton on Wednesday night, Mikel Arteta praised Jack Porter for adapting well after finding out about his unexpected start.
Porter was drafted in with first-choice goalkeeper David Raya on the sidelines with a "muscular" injury, and Arteta said he was delighted with the composure of his young stand-in.
We told him yesterday and he was over the moon straight away. I think he spoke to his family. And yeah, they weren't prepared for that. It's a big step. It's a big occasion for them. And I think they were nervous about it.
But I think he reacted really well. He was really composed yesterday in training today as well. His teammates really helped him as well on that. And what an experience and what a way to break a record.
Jack has been training with us since pre-season, we’re confident he can do the role obviously he plays in the international team, we’ve seen what he can do and we believe he was the right choice.
Though Porter has lined out for England at under-age level, as referenced by Arteta, he is reportedly also eligible to line out for Ireland.
The Press Association reported post-match that one of Porter's parents hails from Dublin, meaning that he would hold dual eligibility.
Porter has played once for the England U17s, making his debut earlier this month in a friendly against Germany. He had previously played four games for the England U16s - making his debut against Ireland last December.
It is unclear whether there is any chance of Jack Porter switching over to the green side of the divide, though it is clear there is a serious talent there. Mikel Arteta, for one, evidently thinks highly of the youngster.
Arsenal now progress to the fourth round of the EFL Cup, where they will travel to Preston in the final week of October.
