Goalie Jack Porter, 16, becomes youngest-ever Arsenal starter

At 16 years, 72 days old, Jack Porter made history for Premier League club Arsenal on Wednesday by becoming the youngest player to ever start for the first team. 

Porter made his debut in a 5-1 victory over League One’s Bolton in the Carabao Cup after Arsenal turned to the teen following David Raya suffering a thigh injury last week during a match against Manchester City. 

Cesc Fabregas, at 16 years, 177 days, had held the record for over 20 years when he made his first start in 2003.

Porter only turned 16 in July, and the Premier League club was down to its last option with summer loan Neto cup-tied — meaning he could not play in the match after having played in the tournament with another squad — and 18-year-old Tommy Setford also dealing with an ailment. 

Porter won’t be able to sign a professional contract until he turns 17 next year.

He only signed scholarship terms in the summer. 

Porter has trained periodically with the first team since the 2022-23 season and was a substitute for Arsenal during a Champions League match with Atalanta last week. 

The teen had also been a more frequent presence training with the first team in recent weeks, according to The Athletic. 

Porter’s efforts have earned him opportunities for England on the international stage with the Under-17 team.

At Arsenal’s academy, Porter has developed with the under-18 club, working with head of academy goalkeeping Mark Mason. 

Porter is now the second-youngest player to play for the Premier League club after Ethan Nwaneri, who holds the distinction in club history after he came in off the bench during a match in September 2022 at the age of 15 years, 181 days.

Nwaneri, fittingly enough, scored twice in Wednesday’s win for Arsenal.

It’s been a big week for academy players getting in with their respective first teams. 

Last week, 16-year-old Manchester City academy player Kaden Braithwaite got into a match and became the third youngest defender in club history to play for the team.