Morning all.

Well, many of us wanted to see the younger players get their chance and that’s exactly what we got. They didn’t disappoint either, in fact it was a very good night for Arsenal.

16-year-old Jack Porter started in goal, Josh Nichols was trusted to play at right-back, Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back and Ethan Nwaneri in midfield. By the end of the game, central defender Maldini Kacurri and winger Ismeal Kabia were given minutes too.

Raheem Sterling made his first start for Arsenal with Jakub Kiwior, Jorginho, Gabriel Jesus, Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori and Bukayo Saka completing the starting eleven.

Bolton caused us a few early scares and they probably should have been awarded a penalty but with no VAR in this competition, the referees decision to play on couldn’t be overturned.

15 minutes into the game and Declan Rice gave us the lead. Nwaneri and Nichols were involved in the buildup but as Bolton cleared the latter’s cross, the ball fell to Rice who fired home from the edge of the box. On 37th minutes, Lewis-Skelly set Sterling free down our left. His cross into the box was perfect, just needing someone on the end of it and Nwaneri was the player. 2-0.

Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Sterling was the next to go close to making it 3-0 when his shot from distance was saved by the Bolton keeper. Jesus went close too but dragged his shot just wide. He’d done all the hard work to take the ball off the defender.

Just after the break, Rice, reading the game so well, intercepted a Bolton pass before setting Nwaneri up for his second of the night and our 3rd.

Bolton pulled a goal back after a quick counterattack but it was soon 4-1.

With around 30 minutes of game to go, Mikel Arteta replaced Rice and the injured Lewis-Skelly with Gabriel and Kai Havertz.

Sterling scored our 4th with a close range tap in. Bukayo Saka was the provider after taking his time to tee our summer signing up and then our 5th of the night came from Havertz. Jesus had done well out on our right as he shook off his man, losing his boot in the process, before crossing the ball. Sterling’s initial shot was blocked but our German was on hand to finish.

I thought the young players did really well. No one can portion blame on Porter for Bolton’s goal that’s for sure. Jorginho being our last man didn’t help the young keepers cause one bit. The fans ‘Ethan Nwaneri, he’s one of our own’ was great to hear. Nichols played a few dodgy passes but didn’t look totally out of his depth but in my opinion, it was Lewis-Skelly and especially Nwaneri who looked at home in the first team. Kacurri, what a big strong guy he looks for an 18 year old. Alongside Gabriel he looked very comfortable. Could he and Ayden Heaven be our distant future? Who knows…

The draw for the next round took place after the game was over and Preston away came out for Arsenal.

Next for Arsenal though is Leicester City at The Emirates on Saturday at 3pm.

Catch up in the comments.

 

 

 

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