Arsenal vs Bolton LIVE! Carabao Cup match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction today | OneFootball

Gunners have 16-year-old in goal for third-round clash in Carabao Cup

Arsenal begin what they hope will be a deep cup run as they host Bolton in the third round of the Carabao Cup tonight. The Gunners have been knocked out early of this competition and the FA Cup in the last two season, with the Premier League the clear priority, but Mikel Arteta’s side must now prove they can challenge on all fronts.

Bolton sit 19th in League One after a tough start to the season, though they did hammer Reading last time out to ease any pressure on manager Ian Evatt. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below, featuring expert analysis from Simon Collings at the ground!

Live updates

1 minute ago

Who is Josh Nichols?

The right-back had trials at Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham before joining Arsenal at the age of eight.

Growing up, Nichols was a striker - and that was the position he was first scouted by West Ham - but he quickly transitioned to being a winger.

A boyhood Arsenal fan, he signed his first professional contract with the club in the summer before going on their tour to the US.

Nichols performed solidly there and showed how he has now developed into an attacking full-back.

He made 31 appearances for Arsenal’s academy sides last season, including all six group games in the UEFA Youth League.

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7 minutes ago

Debut for Porter!

What a huge night for Jack Porter.

David Raya not involved so 16-year-old Porter makes his debut, with Josh Nichols, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri all in the starting lineup too.

Plenty of experience in the front three, with Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling either side of Gabriel Jesus.

Gabriel Martinelli fit to make the bench, but no sign of Jurrien Timber or Ben White.

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11 minutes ago

Arsenal team news

Arsenal XI: Porter; Nichols, Kiwior, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Sterling

Subs: Rojas, Saliba, Gabriel, Kacurri, Heaven, Partey, Havertz, Martinelli, Kabia

20 minutes ago

Arteta talks up Lewis-Skelly

Mikel Arteta believes Myles Lewis-Skelly, who is set to start at left-back tonight, showcased on his debut how he is a “competitor” after he was involved in a heated exchange with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.

Lewis-Skelly and Haaland became embroiled in an altercation towards the end of Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Etihad Stadium as tempers threatened to boil over.

Haaland and Gabriel pushed each other shortly after Thomas Partey was fouled following John Stones’ late equaliser - and Lewis-Skelly rushed over to defend his team-mate.

The 17-year-old, who was making his Arsenal debut, was given short shrift by Haaland and the situation eventually fizzled out.

Arteta said: “You look at him, in every duel he goes, the way he reacts with his team-mates, you speak to him it’s constantly eye contact. He’s nudging, he’s asking questions, it’s a special character.

“He can play in three positions basically, as a left back, as a No6, as a No8, he’s very versatile. He adapts, from there he can occupy different spaces.

“He’s very adaptable, that’s the good thing about Myles - he’s very intelligent, very thorough. He has some unbelievable questions every time you ask him to do something, and he has the competitive edge which I think is demanded at this level.

“And he really wants it, so we are going to use him in different positions.”

REUTERS

30 minutes ago

Odegaard speaks out on injury

In his programme notes this evening, Martin Odegaard has been discussing his injury for the first time.

The Arsenal captain is expected to be out until at least after the next international break with an ankle issue.

He said: “I think it was unfortunate to get the injury in the way that I did, but also it could have been worse. It was not a nice twist, and when it happened I felt it could be serious.

“I’ve injured my ankle before and the pain felt a bit different this time. That’s what scared me, but from what happened it could have been worse, so in that sense I got away with it a bit.

“Like any player, the first thing I asked the medical team was how long I would be out for, but it’s a bit tricky to say at the moment. In the early stages, it's crucial to get a proper rest and to make sure everything heals well.

“After that it’s about getting stronger and building it up again.”

Read his full comments here!

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42 minutes ago

Who is Jack Porter?

Arsenal could tonight hand a debut to 16-year-old Jack Porter.

Porter is in line to replace the potentially injured David Raya as both Arsenal’s No2 and No3 goalkeepers - Neto and Tommy Setford- are unavailable. Neto, who joined on loan from Bournemouth on transfer deadline day, is cup-tied and Setford is out with a hip injury.

Arsenal have several teenage goalkeepers they can call upon if needed, including Alexei Rojas, Brian Okonkwo and Lucas Nygaard.

Porter, however, is the favourite to start as he has been acting as Arsenal’s No3 goalkeeper in the absence of Setford. The 16-year-old travelled to Atalanta and Manchester City last week and helped Neto and Raya warm up ahead of the games.

Porter only signed scholarship terms with Arsenal in the summer and he cannot sign a professional contract until he turns 17 in July next year.

He is highly thought of by Arsenal, though, and played for their Under-18s before becoming a scholar. He has represented England at youth level.

Arsenal’s academy staff describe Porter as a confident goalkeeper, on and off the pitch. He is liked due to his ability on the ball and the way he helps the defence play out from the back.

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51 minutes ago

Stage is set!

Visitors have arrived in north London... it’s a perfect evening for now!

1 hour ago

Arteta fires warning to Man City: 'I have all the information'

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has sent a cryptic warning to Manchester City as the ‘dark arts’ saga from Sunday’s showdown at Etihad Stadium rumbles on.

The Gunners were criticised by City players for how they played to secure a 2-2 draw.

Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Manuel Akanji all took aim at Arsenal for the tactics they used as Arteta’s side battled for a point despite only having 10 men in the second half.

Asked what he made of that criticism, Arteta said: “No comment. I have been there before. I was there for four years.”

Pressed to clarify what he meant by that, the Arsenal boss replied: “I have all the information. So I know. Believe me.”

Click here for more on that!

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1 hour ago

Standard Sport prediction

Arteta may end up prioritising other tournaments but it’s difficult to see the Gunners losing at home to a team in League One, no matter what side they put out.

After a run of tough away games, this represents a chance for Arsenal to get back to hitting form in front of goal.

Arsenal to win, 3-0.

1 hour ago

Arsenal team news

Arsenal could be without as many as 13 players for tonight’s Carabao Cup clash with Bolton.

The Gunners will definitely be missing eight including Leandro Trossard, who is suspended after being sent off against Manchester City on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Neto, who joined on loan from Bournemouth this summer, is cup-tied after playing for the Cherries in their defeat by West Ham in the second round.

Kieran Tierney (hamstring), Martin Odegaard (ankle), Mikel Merino (shoulder), Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) are all set to miss out through injury.

Teenage goalkeeper Tommy Setford is also out with a hip issue and that is a blow to Arsenal with David Raya a doubt.

Raya was filmed limping and with a bandage on his knee while leaving the Etihad Stadium on Sunday and, with No2 Neto unavailable, Mikel Arteta could be forced to play a youngster in goal.

Setford would have been the most likely to start, but now one of 16-year-old Jack Porter or 18-year-old Alexei Rojas may be handed their debut instead.

Arsenal’s injury concerns could give a number of youngsters the chance to play against Bolton, including Ethan Nwaneri, Josh Nichols and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Porter; Nichols, Gabriel, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Sterling