Four Arsenal players created history during Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup third-round match against Bolton Wanderers at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta made eight changes to his starting lineup for the encounter against League One opponents after a 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.
Jack Porter, 16, was appointed goalkeeper, and three other young players – Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Josh Nichols – were also picked in the Arsenal lineup.
Those four wonderkids have engraved their names in Arsenal history as the first players to participate in a competitive game at the Emirates since the stadium opened in July 2006.
Porter got a message of encouragement from ex-Gunners goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale ahead of kickoff, with the Southampton player writing: ‘Go well, bud!’
Arteta, meanwhile, praised Lewis-Skelly ahead of the cup match against Bolton, after he made his debut in the final minutes of City’s 2-2 draw at the Etihad.
‘He (Lewis-Skelly) is a competitor,’ Arteta remarked when questioned about the clash between the Arsenal youngster and City attacker Erling Haaland.
‘You look at him in every battle, the way he responds with his teammates, and when you speak to him, he maintains constant eye contact. He’s poking, asking questions; he’s a unique character.
‘He can play in three positions: left back, No. 6, and No. 8; he’s very adaptable. He adjusts, and from there he may inhabit other locations.
Myles is highly adaptive, which is a good thing; he’s clever and thorough.
‘He asks incredible questions every time you ask him to do something, and he has the competitive edge that I believe is necessary at this level.
‘And he really wants it, so we’re going to put him in different roles.’
Nichols was involved in Arsenal’s first goal against Bolton, with his low cross in from the right side striking an opponent before finding Declan Rice in the middle to shoot home. Nwaneri then scored again, making the score 3-0.
