Arsenal’s record-breaking goalkeeper Jack Porter, 16, used to be midfielder at same grassroots club as icon Tony Adams
JACK Porter is likely to return to the bench for Arsenal’s Premier League game against Leicester – with No2 Neto in line for his debut to replace the injured David Raya.
But, it’s been an incredible week for the 16-year-old shotstopper.
The teenager became the youngest player to start a competitive game in the club’s history, when he appeared between the sticks at the Emirates in the 5-1 defeat of Bolton in the EFL Cup.
And now he appears destined for big things.
Who does he play like and what’s his style?
When Porter was a youngster, playing grassroots football, he played in midfield up until the age of 11, before converting to keeper.
Therefore, he was already comfortable using his feet.
On the Arsenal website, Porter is described as a “confident goalkeeper on and off the pitch.”
They add: “In possession he’s very good at helping the team start the attack.
“Out of possession, he is agile and a good shot-stopper.”
The England U17 international, who stands at around 6ft, hasn’t been compared to any goalkeeper in particular.
His talents at Hale End have been heralded by the club’s staff, with first-team goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana lauding his abilities to Mikel Arteta.
Porter also has a huge supporter in Arsenal and England legend, David Seaman.
The legendary goalie is a regular visitor at the training ground and one visit was said to have mentioned Porter’s ability.
After seeing the youngster’s debut, Seaman took to X to congratulate him.
He wrote: “So pleased to see this young man’s Arsenal debut go so well! #safehands Jack!”
Tell us about their rise
Porter played as a goalie for the first time for Essex side Gidea Park Rangers’ Under 12 team.
It was the same team Arsenal’s greatest ever captain, Tony Adams was plucked from before finding fame at Highbury.
Within four months, the Gunners invited him in for trials with their emerging talent group.
Four weeks later, he was offered a trial for the U12s.
However, Covid meant he had to wait nine months until he was signed in late 2020.
By the age of 14, Porter was already training with Arsenal’s first team squad.
While at international level, he has been capped six times by England’s U16s and been a part of the U17s squad.
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Only two months ago, Porter signed scholarship terms with Arsenal having turned 16 – with Jack Wilshere acting as one of his mentors.
He shared the moment on Instagram, captioning a photo alongside Arsenal Academy manager Per Mertesacker: “Dream come true, delighted to sign for this amazing football club with such great history, would like to thank everyone who’s supported me throughout the years.”
He added: “Hard work carries on.”
What the experts say
With David Raya injured and Neto cup tied for the game against Bolton, Arsenal had very little option but to hand Porter his debut.
New signing Tommy Setford is also sidelined, which explained why Porter featured on the bench against Atalanta in the Champions League the previous week.
Colombian Alexei Rojas seemed like the most obvious choice, boasting more experience at youth level.
But it was on the advice of goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana who told manager Arteta he felt Porter was ready for the occasion.
‘Arteta, himself, revealed: “Jack has been training with us since pre-season, we’re confident he can do the role obviously he plays in the international team, we’ve seen what he can do and we believe he was the right choice.”
After the match, the Spaniard revealed Porter’s parents weren’t prepared for the news he was set to make his debut in the Carabao Cup tie.
Arteta said: “Well, we told him yesterday and he was over the moon straight away.
“I think he spoke to his family and they weren’t prepared for that. It’s a big step, it’s a big occasion for them and I think they were nervous about it.
“But I think he reacted really well, he was really composed yesterday in training and today as well.
“His teammates really helped him as well on that. What an experience and what a way to break a record.”
What could happen over the next 12 months?
In all honesty, Porter’s call-up was somewhat fortuitous given Arsenal’s goalkeeping crisis.
It’s unlikely he will be used as anything more than a substitute in the Premier League, or Champions League.
With the Gunners facing Preston North End in the next round of the EFL Cup, there’s every chance he could feature in that game.
However, he has only played a handful of games for the U18s and just once for the U21s.
It’s still baby steps in his developments at youth level.
But, he will always be able to say he broke a record as Arsenal’s youngest starter in a competitive game.