Arsenal fans discovered an astonishing stat about new star Jack Porter, who has become the club’s youngest ever player to start a match when the Gunners take on Bolton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
At 16 years and 72 days, the goalkeeper is also the club’s second-youngest player of all time, with Ethan Nwaneri claiming the youngest after coming off the bench last season at the age of 15 years, 5 months, 38 days.
But due to his age, Porter was not alive the last time Tottenham won a trophy – a fact Arsenal fans have discovered and shared gleefully.
Spurs won the League Cup in 2008 when they beat Chelsea – with Porter being born 142 days after the final on 24 February 2008.
Jack Porter is Arsenal’s youngest ever starter
PA
And their rivals have poked fun at them over this fact on social media with fan account AFTVMedia sharing a post.
Fans were loving it with one writing: “That one there is a violation.”
Another replied with a series of laughing emojis: “That is great.”
While a third put: “And he stands the higher chance of winning a trophy first.”
This fan posted: “Violation!”
And another said: “Cook that thing.”
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Arsenal have been forced into playing Porter amid a goalkeeping crisis at the Emirates.
First-choice keeper David Raya could be set for an extended spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury against Manchester City on Sunday.
Meanwhile, back-up option Neto is cup-tied in the Carabao Cup, having played for Bournemouth earlier in the season.
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David Raya’s injury has given Arsenal a major selection problem
Reuters
And third-option Tommy Setford, who joined from Ajax in the summer, is currently injured as well.
It has left Mikel Arteta with limited options, though Porter could prove to be a future star.
He is already a regular international for the England Under-17s and has starred for Jack Wilshere’s Under-18s before signing scholarship terms earlier this year.
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Jack Porter was born after the last time Tottenham won a trophy
PA
Porter has claimed his record of youngest starter for Arsenal off former captain Cesc Fabregas, who was 16 years and 177 days old when he started against Rotherham in the League Cup in October 2003.
And the goalkeeper is not the only teenager starting against Bolton, with Nwaneri (16), Joshua Nichols (18) and Myles Lewis-Skelly (17) also included – making them younger than the Emirates.