Young Guns Go For It on an enjoyable Emirates evening
Such an agreeable night at The Arsenal watching the club's talented youngsters shine
Hello!
Happy Thursday!
It certainly is, after such an enjoyable night at The Arsenal as a punter, watching the club’s talented youngsters shine, not to mention catching up with so many good people, before, during and after the game.
I’m still absolutely buzzing. It was wonderful watching such a young, vibrant team sweep aside Bolton at the Emirates on Wednesday evening.
After such a busy September covering all aspects of The Arsenal, it was great to kick back and attend the match as a fan, and simply relish our team shine, and in good company too.
Young Guns Go For It. CREDIT: Picture courtesy of Arsenal FC
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Jack Porter
A massive well done to Jack Porter. Incredible to think he’s only 16. I couldn’t even do a paper round properly at 16 and he’s already played for The Arsenal. Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on Jack Porter, who became the youngest goalkeeper in Arsenal's history: "We told him yesterday and I think straight away he spoke to his family.
“They weren't prepared for that, it's a big step, it's a big occasion for them. I think they were nervous about it but he reacted really well.
“He was really composed in training and today as well. His team-mates really helped him as well on that. One experience, and what a way to break a record.”
Jack Porter becomes Arsenal’s youngest-ever starter at 16 years and 72 days. CREDIT: Picture courtesy of Arsenal FC
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Josh Nichols
If you’ve been reading our Arsenal Academy Player Ratings when we cover the Arsenal U21s then you’ll know we’ve been raving about Josh Nichols. Great to see him make his first team debut on Wednesday night. Such a prospect.
Ditto Ismael Kabia and Maldini Kaccurri.
Well done lads. Great effort
We’ve been raving about Josh Nichols for a while at the Gooner Fanzine CREDIT: Picture courtesy of Arsenal FC
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Arsenal 5-1 Bolton report:
Ethan Nwaneri scores twice and Raheem Sterling nets first goal in red and white as Young Guns thrash League One side
Rampant Arsenal routed Bolton 5-1 to reach the Carabao Cup fourth round at the Emirates on Wednesday evening.
Declan Rice gave the Gunners the lead before young starlet Ethan Nwaneri, 17, scored either side of half-time, much to the delight of the 59,056 in attendance.
Aaron Collins pulled one back for Bolton but Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz put the match out of reach on a night where Mikel Arteta gave four young academy products their first starts.
Not least 16-year-old Arsenal goalkeeper Jack Porter - standing in for injured duo David Raya and Tommy Setford plus the cup-tied Neto - on a night to remember for the Gunners youngsters.
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Arsenal Player Ratings:
GK: Jack Porter - 8/10 - What a night for the composed schoolkid who became Arsenal's youngest ever starter at the tender age of 16 years and 72 days. A calm temperament belied a confident nature with decent handling and distribution. A big future ahead, but first let him - and all Gooners - savour such a milestone. Well done Jack
RB: Josh Nichols - 8/10 - If you’ve been reading our Arsenal Academy Player Ratings when we cover the Arsenal U21s then you’ll know we’ve been raving about Josh Nichols. Great to see him make his first team debut on Wednesday night. Such a prospect. Ditto Ismael Kabia and Maldini Kaccurri
CB: Jakub Kiwior - 6.5/10 - Struggled against the Bolton attack at times, especially against Collins but emerged victorious
CB: Riccardo Calafiori - 7/10 - Good to see the Italian bag more first team minutes as he continues to acclimatise to English conditions. Booked
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly - 7.5/10 - A first start after his substitute appearance at the Etihad capped a week the 17-year-old will never forget. Let's hope his injury isn't too serious as he's fast becoming a vital squad member at such a young age
DM: Jorginho - 7.5/10 - Experienced midfielder helped guide young guns in the heart of battle
CM: Ethan Nwaneri - 9/10 - Superb, absolutely superb from the incredibly talented youngster. Great to see the 17-year-old bag a brace on his first start for Arsenal. This lad has all the attributes to reach the top, the very top. It's going to be a fun ride charting his upward trajectory
CM: Declan Rice - 8/10 - Scored his eighth goal in Arsenal colours and his first of this season, in his first League Cup game in red and white. Also posted an assist when winning possesion for Nwaneri's second strike
RW: Bukayo Saka - 8/10 - An influential display without getting on the scoresheet or providing an assist. Although you could ask why the 23-year-old wasn't given a night off after such a busy spell on the back of summer at the Euros.
ST: Gabriel Jesus - 7.5/10 - Would have been nice to see the Brazil striker get on the scoresheet but fired narrowly in the opening 45 minutes. Worked hard nevertheless and was another who acted as an experienced hand to aid the club's talented youngsters
LW: Raheem Sterling - 8.5/10 - Great to note the former England winger get on the scoresheet, as well as provide an assist, as an elder statesman at the tender age of 29. Wonderful to see the winger act as a mentor to so many Young Guns who clearly hold the Londoner in such high esteem
Substitutes
SUB: Gabriel (62' for Lewis-Skelly) - 7/10
SUB: Kai Havertz (62' for Rice) - 7/10
SUB: Maldini Kacurri (70' for Calafiori) - 7/10
SUB: Gabriel Martinelli (70' for Saka) - 7/10
SUB: Ismeal Kabia (81' for Sterling) - 7/10
Subs not used: Alexei Rojas (GK),
Ayden Heaven,
William Saliba,
Thomas Partey
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DAILY LIST:
I - I’m covering Arsenal Women vs BK Hacken in a must-win match for Jonas Eidevall’s side at Meadow Park tonight. See you there