Ethan Nwaneri, a teenager, scored his first goals for Arsenal as they easily defeated Bolton in League One to advance to the Carabao Cup fourth round.
A Raheem Sterling cross found an empty net for the 17-year-old, who was making his first senior start for the team. He then took advantage of some careless Bolton play to steal the ball from Declan Rice and roll under visiting goalkeeper Luke Southwood.
Prior to his two goals, Teenage Ethan Nwaneri scores brace in Arsenal’s 5-1 victory against Bolton Wanderers had contributed to Arsenal’s opening goal in the 16th minute when he sent in a fizzed cross that Scott Arfield was unable to clear, and Rice finished calmly into the bottom corner.
In the 64th minute, Sterling scored his first goal for Arsenal on his first start since joining from London rivals Chelsea, tapping in from a few yards after Southwood misplayed Bukayo Saka’s effort.
After Sterling’s shot was saved, Kai Havertz headed home a rebound to seal a resounding victory at Emirates Stadium.
In the 53rd minute, Aaron Collins scored a goal for Bolton following an outstanding counterattack. Though it was ultimately a comfort, it prevented young Jack Porter of Arsenal from recording a clean sheet on his historic senior debut.
Manager Mikel Arteta rested a number of first-team starters following a taxing Premier League match against Manchester City on Sunday. Instead, he went with a youthful lineup, with Porter, 18-year-old full-back Josh Nichols, 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, and 18-year-old Nwaneri making their full senior debuts. Maldini Kacurri and Ismeal Kabia, two other teenagers, also made their debuts as substitutes in first-team football.
But with Rice and Jorginho’s midfield experience and Saka and Sterling’s skill on the wings, Arsenal’s young players were free to show off their skills in this easy win.
Goalkeeper Porter broke the record set by Cesc Fabregas in October 2003 in the League Cup against Rotherham, becoming the youngest player to start a first-team match for the Gunners at the age of sixteen and seventy-two days.
Although Porter is the team’s fourth choice, he was called upon after starting goalkeeper David Raya was ruled out due to a thigh injury, Tommy Setford was sidelined due to injury, and summer signing Neto was cup-tied after making an appearance for parent club Bournemouth.
Image credit: @Arsenal via X