September 25th 2024.
Arsenal's star goalkeeper, David Raya, has been in top form this season, making crucial saves in their recent wins against Wolves, Aston Villa, and Tottenham. However, he is set to miss their upcoming Carabao Cup match against Bolton due to an injury, which means that 16-year-old rookie Jack Porter is likely to make his debut in goal.
Raya's impressive performances have been a key factor in Arsenal's success so far, including a miraculous double save in their Champions League match against Atalanta and a starring role in their eventful 2-2 draw with Manchester City last Sunday. Unfortunately, the former Brentford keeper was seen hobbling through the mixed zone at the Etihad Stadium after the game, with a bandage over his right knee.
According to reports, Arsenal will not risk playing their No.1 tonight, but he should be back in contention for their home game against Leicester City on Saturday. With their experienced backup goalkeeper Neto cup-tied and their summer signing Tommy Setford injured, the Gunners are facing an unusual situation and may have to rely on young Porter for the upcoming match.
At just 16 years old, Porter recently signed a scholarship contract with Arsenal and has already made six appearances for their U18s team, conceding 12 goals and keeping one clean sheet. Upon signing with the club, he shared a photo on Instagram with Arsenal legend and academy manager Per Mertesacker, expressing his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity.
In other news, it has been confirmed that Raya's injury is not serious, which is a huge relief for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. He has already had to deal with the absence of key players such as Declan Rice, who was suspended for the North London derby, and new signing Mikel Merino, who suffered a shoulder injury in his first training session with the team. However, there is some positive news on the horizon, as it is expected that Martin Odegaard will make an early return from his ankle ligament injury.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Arteta expressed his hope for a potential surprise return from Odegaard, who is the main source of creativity for the team. While it may be unlikely, the manager is keeping his fingers crossed for the talented midfielder. Despite the challenges that Arsenal has faced this season, they are determined to continue their success and are looking forward to welcoming back their key players.
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