A key Arsenal player missed the team’s win over Bolton in the Carabao Cup because of an illness. Manager Mikel Arteta said that the player might not be able to play in their Premier League game against Leicester.

Arsenal easily made it to the round of 16 by beating Manchester City 5-1 at the Emirates on Wednesday. 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri scored two goals and played great in middle.

However, Nwaneri wasn’t the only young player for Arsenal. Six teenagers played, including a record-setting custodian.

Taking over in goal for David Raya and Neto, Jack Porter made history as the youngest player in Arsenal’s history. He was only 16 years old.

Arteta said that Raya missed the game because he was hurt, and Saturday’s game against Leicester might also be too soon for him to be included. Neto was cup-tied after playing for Bournemouth earlier in the competition. 

The Spanish manager said of his No. 1 after the Bolton win, “We don’t know yet.” “He does have a muscle injury,” she said.

Porter won’t have to start this weekend because Neto is available for league games. He could, however, come off the bench if Raya isn’t there.

Porter was 16 years and 72 days old when he played the game. “We told him yesterday, and he was over the moon,” Arteta said. “His family wasn’t ready for what he said right away when he called them.

“It is a big step and an important event for them, and I think they were scared about it.” But he responded really well. He stayed calm in practice, and his teammates also helped him. What a thrill and a great way to break a record!

Arteta also gave Nwaneri a lot of credit because he was the star of the game and has made a case for more playing time since captain Martin Odegaard is hurt.

While Odegaard was out, Leandro Trossard filled in as a midfielder, but he was sent off against Manchester City over the weekend. He might come back after his ban is over, but the young player who started his first game for the club on Wednesday could put pressure on his spot.

After coming on as a late replacement at Brentford two years ago, Nwaneri became the Premier League’s youngest player. He was only 15 years old.

‘Let’s go,’ Arteta said when asked if Nwaneri, who came off the bench in Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Tottenham earlier this month, could be used more often to help his team win the title. This is the next step. He’s ahead of what anyone thought would happen.

“He plays with confidence and belief, and he knows what he needs to do on the pitch,” this person said.

“Every time he plays for the first team, he goes above and beyond what everyone and I expected.” He deserves it, and since he’s one of us, he will get enough time.

Arteta started four youth players. Myles Lewis-Skelly (17), Josh Nichols (18), and Porter were all given their first game at the Emirates. Lewis-Skelly helped set up Nwaneri’s goal in the first half with a great through ball to Sterling.