Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya is reportedly a doubt for his side’s Premier League clash against Leicester this weekend.
The 29-year-old missed Arsenal’s 5-1 Carabao Cup victory over Bolton on Wednesday, with 16-year-old Jack Porter stepping in as his replacement.
Raya, who joined Arsenal from Brentford, played in the 2-2 draw against Manchester City last weekend but left the Etihad Stadium with a noticeable limp after picking up an injury during the match.
He is now in a race against time to be fit for Saturday’s game.
Having established himself as Arsenal’s undisputed number one keeper over the past year, Raya has become a crucial part of manager Mikel Arteta’s plans.
If he is unable to play, Bournemouth loanee Neto could make his debut for the club.
When asked about Raya’s availability for the weekend, Arteta commented after the Bolton match: “We don’t know yet.
“He’s got a muscular injury.”
David Raya began his senior career at Blackburn before moving to non-league side Southport.
He later played for Brentford before joining Arsenal.
Since making his debut for Spain in 2022, he has earned eight caps for the national team.
Currently, Arsenal sits fourth in the Premier League and is set to host struggling Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.
Just three days later, they will face a challenging match against Paris Saint-Germain in their second Champions League encounter of the season.
If Raya is unavailable, on-loan goalkeeper Neto would step in for the team.
He was unable to play on Wednesday due to being cup-tied. Arsenal’s No. 3 goalkeeper, Tommy Setford, was also sidelined with a hip injury, which led Mikel Arteta to turn to young talent, Porter.
Porter made history by becoming the youngest player to ever start a game for Arsenal, at just 16 years and 72 days old.
He was one of four teenagers who featured in the starting lineup at Emirates Stadium.
After the match, Arteta humorously revealed that some of the players even had school in the morning.
“There are a few [with school],” he said.
“There are a few that are going to have to be there.
“I think it’s going to be great. They were buzzing after the game.
“They spoke to the players just to thank them as well. It was a nice moment.
“We told him (Porter) yesterday and he was over the moon straight away.
“I think he spoke to his family and they weren’t prepared for that. It’s a big step, it’s a big occasion for them and I think they were nervous about it.
“But I think he reacted really well, he was really composed yesterday in training and today as well.
“His team-mates really helped him as well on that. What an experience and what a way to break a record.”
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