What Riccardo Calafiori was spotted doing to Arsenal debutant Jack Porter before kick-off vs Bolton

Arsenal kicked off their EFL Cup campaign with a third round clash against Bolton Wanderers at the Emirates.

The Gunners returned to N5 after spending their previous three games on the road, facing Spurs, Atalanta and Manchester City in three high-profile fixtures.

On Wednesday night, League One outfit Bolton arrived in North London to battle for a spot in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.

As expected, Mikel Arteta fielded a heavily rotated team, with four teenagers named in Arsenal’s starting XI.

What Riccardo Calafiori did to Arsenal teen Jack Porter before kick-off vs Bolton

While it was somewhat expected for the Emirates to see Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly start the game, the home crowd were treated to a shock debut.

As well as the two 17-year-old’s and 18-year-old Josh Nichols was goalkeeper Jack Porter, who replaced David Raya between the sticks.

It’s a special occasion for the 16-year-old, who becomes the youngest ever goalkeeper to play for Arsenal.

In what arose as an unexpected opportunity for the youngster, the teen was welcomed warmly by the more senior figures around him in the squad.

Before kick-off, summer arrival Riccardo Calafiori was seen to embrace Porter, as journalist Simon Collings reported.

Reporting from the Emirates, Collings pointed out that the Italy international headed over to Porter to ‘give him a big hug’.

The 2008-born talent was in good company protecting the goal against the Trotters, with senior figures such as Calafiori and Jakub Kiwior ahead of him in central defence.

Why is Porter starting for Arsenal against Bolton?

16-year-old Porter may not have believed his luck when being named in Arteta’s starting XI at the Emirates in the EFL Cup.

The teenager earned his senior debut as a result of peculiar circumstances, with first choice ‘keeper Raya nursing a small injury.

Arsenal’s second choice goalkeeper, Neto, who was signed in the summer, is ironically cup-tied having represented his parent club Bournemouth.

Further down the pecking order, fellow summer arrival Tommy Setford has fitness issues, leaving Porter as the option for Arteta to hand a debut to in the EFL Cup.

It’s a shock circumstance to make a debut in, but one that the teen has earned having impressed in the academy, earning a night to treasure under the lights at the Emirates.