Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s boss, picked several senior stars to start against Bolton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. These included Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice, and three 17-year-olds and one 16-year-old.

Arteta’s starting XI on Wednesday had Jack Porter, who was the youngest player. He just turned 16 in July.

Porter became the youngest player in Arsenal history to start a league game. He did so at the age of 16 years, two months, and 10 days.

That record had been held by Cesc Fabregas, who started his first game for Arsenal in 2003, just 72 days after his birthday.

Porter was given the number 92 before he played for the first team. 

David Raya, Arsenal’s first-choice custodian, couldn’t play because of an injury to his thigh, and Neto was in a cup match, so 18-year-old Alexei Rojas filled in as a replacement.

Porter is the youngest starter in Arsenal’s history. He joined the team in 2020 and has played for England at the U16 and U17 levels. However, he is only their second-youngest player of all time.

That’s because Ethan Nwaneri didn’t start playing until September 2022, when he was only 15 years and 181 days old. 

In Wednesday night’s 5-1 win over Bolton, Nwaneri got his first two goals for the Gunners. He is now 17 years old.

The other goals came from Rice, Sterling, and Kai Haverez. Bolton’s only shot on goal was made by Aaron Collins.

Porter and Nwaneri both played the whole game.