Arsenal kicked off their EFL Cup campaign with a dominant 5-1 win over Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday night at the Emirates Stadium. Manager Mikel Arteta fielded a heavily rotated side, giving opportunities to several young players, following the club’s recent Premier League match against Manchester City.
This victory was particularly impressive as Arsenal introduced several academy graduates into the starting lineup, which included young talents like Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Josh Nichols.
Additionally, this match marked the debut of 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter, who stepped up in the absence of David Raya due to injury.
Porter, a Hale End academy product, handled the pressure well and received positive reviews despite Bolton managing to score once.
Though he was unable to keep a clean sheet, the young goalkeeper’s overall performance was confident and poised, which impressed onlookers, including Aaron Ramsdale, who had earlier praised him.
This morale boost undoubtedly helped Porter handle the big occasion.
Josh Nichols, another debutant, put in a solid display, contributing to the buildup of Declan Rice’s opening goal.
Nichols adapted well to the intensity of the game, showing great promise for his future.
Meanwhile, Ethan Nwaneri stole the spotlight with a spectacular performance, netting two goals in his first senior start.
His display emphasized why there is so much excitement around him, and his contributions were crucial to Arsenal’s comfortable victory.
In defense, Jakub Kiwior struggled at the beginning of the match, making a few errors before settling in as the game progressed.
Similarly, Riccardo Calafiori, who started as a center-back, had some nervy moments but demonstrated his offensive capabilities by pushing forward into attacking positions.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, normally a midfielder, filled in at left-back and exceeded expectations, playing with composure beyond his years and assisting in Arsenal’s second goal with precise passing.
Declan Rice also delivered a strong performance in midfield, opening the scoring with a well-placed shot from outside the box and providing leadership throughout the match.
His influence was felt on both ends of the pitch, offering stability to Arsenal’s youthful lineup.
Bukayo Saka, though not at his usual best, controlled the game effortlessly, showcasing his natural ability without needing to exert too much effort.
Raheem Sterling, who recently joined Arsenal on loan from Chelsea, made an immediate impact in his first start for the Gunners.
He contributed a goal and an assist, signaling his intent to become a key figure for Arsenal this season.
Gabriel Jesus, on the other hand, displayed energy and determination but struggled to find the back of the net despite his best efforts.
As the game progressed, Arteta made several substitutions, introducing experienced players like Gabriel Magalhães and Kai Havertz, who scored Arsenal’s fifth goal.
Other young players, such as Maldini Kacurri and Ismael Kabia, also made brief appearances as Arsenal cruised to victory.
Overall, Arsenal’s emphatic win not only secured their progression in the EFL Cup but also showcased the depth and potential of the club’s younger players.
Arteta will be pleased with the contributions from the academy graduates, as well as the performances of some of the first-team players, heading into their next Premier League fixtures.
The victory provided valuable rest for some key players while maintaining momentum in the domestic cup competition.
