Arsenal commenced their EFL Cup journey with an impressive 5-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday night at the Emirates Stadium. Manager Mikel Arteta made significant changes to the lineup, offering chances to several young talents following the recent Premier League match against Manchester City.
The win was noteworthy as Arsenal included multiple academy graduates in the starting eleven, featuring promising players like Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Josh Nichols.
This match also marked the debut of 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter, who stepped in for the injured David Raya.
Porter, a product of Hale End academy, managed the pressure admirably and received commendations despite conceding one goal.
While he didn’t achieve a clean sheet, his overall display was confident and composed, earning praise from onlookers, including Aaron Ramsdale, who had previously highlighted his potential.
This boost in morale certainly helped Porter rise to the occasion.
Debutant Josh Nichols also delivered a solid performance, playing a key role in the buildup to Declan Rice’s opening goal. He adapted well to the game’s intensity, showing great potential for his future.
Ethan Nwaneri, however, was the standout performer, scoring two goals in his first senior start. His impressive showing underscored the excitement surrounding him and was vital to Arsenal’s comfortable win.
Defensively, Jakub Kiwior faced some challenges early on, making a few mistakes before finding his rhythm as the match went on. Riccardo Calafiori, starting as a center-back, had a shaky start but showcased his attacking skills by moving forward effectively.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, typically a midfielder, played left-back and exceeded expectations, displaying remarkable composure and assisting in Arsenal’s second goal with accurate passing.
Declan Rice had a strong presence in midfield, scoring with a well-placed shot from distance and providing leadership throughout the match, stabilizing the youthful lineup.
Bukayo Saka, while not at his peak, managed to control the game with ease, demonstrating his natural talent without much effort.
Raheem Sterling, recently loaned from Chelsea, made an instant impact in his first start for Arsenal, contributing a goal and an assist and indicating his desire to be a key player this season.
Gabriel Jesus brought energy and determination but had difficulty finding the net despite his efforts.
As the match progressed, Arteta introduced experienced players like Gabriel Magalhães and Kai Havertz, the latter scoring Arsenal’s fifth goal. Other young players, such as Maldini Kacurri and Ismael Kabia, also saw brief action as Arsenal comfortably secured their victory.
Overall, Arsenal’s convincing win not only advanced them in the EFL Cup but also highlighted the depth and promise of their younger players. Arteta will be satisfied with the performances of the academy graduates and some first-team players as they prepare for upcoming Premier League matches. The victory provided valuable rest for key players while maintaining momentum in the domestic cup competition.
