Mikel Arteta handed Jack Porter the youngest starting goalkeeper in Arsenal’s history in the previous round of the Carabao Cup against Bolton Wanderers, which the Gunners won 5-1. Tommy Setford missed the game through injury, while first-choice goalkeeper David Raya was also absent and Neto was cup-tied , so Porter made history as a starter .

Arsenal now face Preston North End in the fourth round and Setford, who has recovered from injury, could come in for Raya who is likely to be rested. Setford joined from Ajax this summer for around £1m.

“We signed him because we knew he had the qualities we were looking for in a goalkeeper,” Arteta said. “But unfortunately he was injured so he hasn’t played. We’ll see if he plays tomorrow or not.” As well as Setford, a number of Arsenal academy players are also in contention to feature at Deepdale, including Ayden Heaven, Ethan Nwaneri, Josh Nichols, Ismeal Kabia, Maldini Kacurri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

“It’s not about age, if they play it’s because they deserve it, like all the other players,” Arteta said. “At the end of the day, we have to reward the players who every day show the right attitude and have the level of play that we want. It doesn’t matter if they are from the academy, young players or senior players. Tomorrow they will play. Everyone who is in the first team and playing with us will have a chance tomorrow.

“There are players who haven’t played much. They will get a chance tomorrow, that’s for sure. You have to prove yourself to play, and when you get a chance you have to perform and make a positive impact on the game. That’s what we demand from all the players, whether they are young, experienced or who have played regularly for us.”

Two more of our youngsters made winning starts to their Arsenal careers, starring in our 3-0 victory against Preston North End on Wednesday.

Our summer signing from Ajax, 18-year-old Tommy Setford, played the full 90 minutes, keeping a clean sheet in the process. Hale End Academy product Ayden Heaven came on in central defence for the last ten minutes – the two became the 911th and 912th players in our history respectively.

It comes hot on the heels of four academy products all making debuts in the third-round win over Bolton.