Matthew Upson wowed by what Arsenal have done that ‘you don’t ever see’

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Arsenal are currently in fine form, having made good progress in each of the three competitions they’re currently playing in.

The Gunners are flying high in the Premier League and were boosted by their North London derby win and draw at Manchester City.

Arsenal are also up and running in the Champions League with their point at Atalanta and reached the fourth round of the League Cup after hammering Bolton Wanderers in midweek.

The Gunners have done all this despite missing several key players. Indeed, they had to use their fourth-choice goalkeeper against Bolton.

David Raya was carrying a knock going into the game, while Neto was cup-tied and academy summer signing Tommy Setford was also injured.

Therefore, Mikel Arteta named 16-year-old Jack Porter in between the sticks, and he helped Arsenal run out 5-1 winners over the League One side.

BBC Sport pundit Matthew Upson has now given his verdict on Porter’s display and also the Gunners’ decision to start him.

Matthew Upson hails young Arsenal goalkeeper Jack Porter

Upson, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, said what Arteta did – starting a 16-year-old goalkeeper in a senior game – was virtually unprecedented in senior men’s football.

He also gave “huge credit” to Porter for how he fared, considering how difficult it must have been for him to be up against senior opposition.

“A 16-year-old goalkeeper in senior men’s football doesn’t exist – you don’t ever see it,” said Upson, as per BBC Sport‘s Arsenal page (26/9/2024, 8:08am).

“I like how Arteta spoke about how it was a big deal for his family but you can imagine the emotion running through him, the nervousness, because there is nothing like that goalkeeping position.

“The pressure is huge and it’s all about not making a mistake. You have to really be on your game, the focus and decision-making have to be right and that’s why [goalkeepers] mature so much later.

“Huge credit to him.”

READ MORE: What Josh Kroenke said about transfers at Arsenal team meeting before final day of last season

When did Porter join Arsenal and how has he done this season?

As per the official Arsenal website, Porter joined the club in 2020 and signed scholarship terms this summer.

This season, he has made two U18 Premier League appearances and also featured once for the Under-21s in the Premier League 2.

Porter was on the bench for Arsenal’s Champions League trip to Atalanta..

He was a part of the travelling squad for the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur and the Manchester City match on Sunday.

Porter has also represented England at Under-16 and Under-17 level.