Arsenal may be forced to use a young goalkeeper, 16, as David Raya adds to the issues. Arsenal are concerned about David Raya's fitness after the Gunners' first-choice goalkeeper underwent treatment during Sunday's title match against Manchester City.
Due to worries over David Raya, Arsenal may be forced to use youth team standout Jack Porter in their Carabao Cup match against Bolton Wanderers. The Gunners enter Wednesday night's third round match on the heels of a thrilling 2-2 draw with Premier League champions Manchester City. Mikel Arteta's team was reduced to ten men in the second half and now has a variety of selection issues.
Arsenal were already expecting to be without captain Martin Odegaard for an extended length of time after sustaining ankle ligament damage while on international duty. Leandro Trossard will also be banned for a match following his red card on Sunday, raising fears about Raya.The 29-year-old Spaniard was pictured walking with a bandage on his knee after the encounter on Sunday. With summer signing Neto cup-tied, Porter, 16, could get a surprise call-up in midweek.
According to The Mail, Raya's injury is not serious, but Arsenal is expected to rest their first-choice goalkeeper against Bolton after receiving treatment late versus City. Intriguingly, Tommy Setford, the club's third-choice keeper who arrived from Ajax in the summer, is also out due to injury for the Bolton encounter, opening the door for Porter, who turned 16 in July.
The rookie goalkeeper has only played a few games for Arsenal's Under-18 team and one for the Under-21s, so making his senior debut in the Carabao Cup third round would be a significant feather in the youngster's cap.Porter, who was on the bench for Arsenal's recent Champions League match against Atalanta, signed a scholarship deal in July. On social media, he wrote: "Dream come true, delighted to sign for this amazing football club with such a rich history, and would like to thank everyone who has supported me over the years." "Hard work continues."
Although Raya appears unlikely to feature in midweek, he is anticipated to return in goal at the weekend, when Arsenal host Premier League strugglers Leicester.The Londoners then play their second Champions League match against French heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates in a week, before traveling to Southampton for their final game before the next international break in early October.
blogpay
