Jack Porter (16) from Arsenal is the club’s youngest regular player

Jack Porter became the youngest player ever to start for Arsenal when the 16-year-old goalkeeper made his debut in the Carabao Cup against Bolton on Wednesday.

At 16 years and 72 days old, Porter surpasses club icon Cesc Fabregas, who was 16 years and 177 days old when he started against Rotherham in October 2003.

Porter was selected in place of first-choice David Raya, who was ruled out with a thigh injury, Arsenal said. Raya left the Etihad Stadium with a bandage around his right knee after sustaining an injury in last weekend's 2-2 draw with Manchester City.

With Neto – who was signed on loan from Bournemouth in the summer – not selected for the cup and 18-year-old substitute Tommy Setford also injured, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has called up Porter, who only turned 16 in July.

Porter had previously trained with the first team several times and was a substitute in last week's Champions League away match against Atalanta, which ended 0-0.

He only signed a scholarship with the Gunners in the summer and will not be able to sign a professional contract until next year when he turns 17.

As ESPN reported on the deadline day, Arsenal tried to sign two goalkeepers towards the end of the transfer window. They had let Aaron Ramsdale move permanently to Southampton and Karl Hein was transferred on loan to Real Valladolid.

After securing the arrival of Neto, they explored a deal for Joan García at Espanyol and also tried to sign Dan Bentley from Wolves, but were unable to reach an agreement.

Arteta rotated his team for the game against Bolton, including young players Ethan Nwaneri and Miles Lewis-Skelly, while Raheem Sterling made his first start after coming on as a substitute from Chelsea for a season.

Nwaneri holds the record as the youngest player to play for Arsenal's first team after coming on as a substitute in September 2022 at the age of 15 years and 181 days.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.