ARSENAL have a history of youth team players making it to the big leagues – and they’ll be hoping goalkeeper Jack Porter is next in line.
David Raya has been a complete revelation between the sticks since making the switch from Brentford.
The Spaniard lifted the Golden Glove last season – becoming the first Arsenal keeper since Petr Cech to do so during the 2015/16 campaign.
However, with Raya set to be rested for the Gunners’ Carabao Cup clash against Bolton, Neto being cup-tied and Tommy Setford injured, Mikel Arteta may have to rely on recent scholar Jack Porter.
And here is everything we know about the young prospect.
Who is Jack Porter?
Born on July 15, 2008, Jack Porter is a talented goalkeeper who signed his official scholarship in 2024 after making four appearances for Arsenal’s U18s during the 2022/24 season.
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Porter debuted against Fulham, keeping a clean sheet in a 9-0 thrashing.
The talented youngster has since gone on to represent the England youth team internationally
Jack was involved with the Arsenal U21 squad this summer for their pre-season training camp in Slovakia.
But his name began to ring bells when he trained with the first team ahead of Arsenal’s opening Champions League clash against Atalanta.
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What has been said?
Youth team expert Jeorge Bird once claimed that Jack Porter is one of the best prospects the Arsenal academy had seen.
And training alongside experienced goalkeepers such as David Raya and Neto would have done a lot for his confidence.
Bird posted on X: “Haven’t seen a 16-year-old goalkeeper as highly rated by the club as Porter for a long time.
“Maybe Arthur Okonkwo, but even he wasn’t involved with the first team this often at that age.”
What Arsenal prospects have made it to the first team?
There have been several prospects who have come through the Hale End Academy.
Here are some of the players who have burst into the first teams of clubs after starting out at Hale End.
- David O’Leary
- David Rocastle
- Tony Adams
- Ray Parlour
- Michael Thomas
- Paul Merson
- Liam Brady
- Andy Cole
- David Bentley
- Nicolas Anelka
- Ashley Cole
- Cesc Fabregas
- Jack Wilshere
- Kieran Gibbs
- Hector Bellerin
- Serge Gnabry
- Joe Willock
- Wojciech Szczesny
- Alex Iwobi
- Eddie Nketiah
- Reiss Nelson
- Emile Smith Row
- Bukayo Saka
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
