Mikel Arteta could possibly be compelled to begin goalkeeper, 16, if harm disaster continues
Mikel Arteta’s injury crisis at Arsenal could have worsened against Manchester City.
David Raya was given the nod between the sticks against the champions, as John Stones netted a late equaliser to steal City one point. However, there were concerns for the Spaniard during the clash, when he went down unchallenged before a goal-kick.
Any murmurs that he was time wasting were quickly dispelled when he was seen limping past reporters after the game as he left the stadium. Raya was spotted sporting a bandage on his right knee, seemingly in some discomfort.
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And Raya’s knock could be bad news for Wednesday evening’s Carabao Cup clash with Bolton. The Gunners No.2, Neto, is cup tied and cannot play in the competition.
That is because he started for Bournemouth in their second-round defeat to West Ham before he completed his transfer to North London. Arsenal’s No.3, Tommy Setford, also appears to be sidelined with a fitness issue, having not been named in the squad since the international break.
(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
This could open the door for 16-year-old Jack Porter, who was named on the bench for Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Atalanta last week. Porter is yet to make his professional debut, but he has totted up six appearances for Arsenal’s U18s and one for the U21s. He has also achieved four caps for England’s U16 side.
Youth team expert Jeorge Bird has claimed that Porter is one of the best prospects the Arsenal academy have seen in the goalkeeping position in a long time. He said on X: “[I] Haven’t seen a 16-year-old goalkeeper as highly rated by the club as Porter for a long time. Maybe Arthur Okonkwo, but even he wasn’t involved with the first-team this often at that age.”
