David Raya is expected to sit out Arsenal’s Carabao Cup clash against Bolton Wanderers following a knock he sustained during the 2-2 draw with Manchester City in the Premier League.
The Spanish goalkeeper has been in remarkable form since the start of the 2024/25 campaign.
His standout performances have included a stellar showing in the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, and a heroic double save in Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League draw with Atalanta.
On Sunday, Raya was once again instrumental in helping the Gunners secure a point against City, making several crucial saves at the Etihad Stadium.
However, Raya required treatment during the second half of the game after picking up a knock, though he managed to finish the full 90 minutes.
Despite his resilience, Arsenal are set to rest him for their next fixture. According to the Daily Mail, the issue is linked to a knee problem.
While the injury is not considered serious, Mikel Arteta’s side is taking a cautious approach to avoid further aggravation.
Arsenal face a challenging situation in goal for the midweek cup tie. Their usual backup, Neto, is ineligible to play due to being cup-tied after featuring for Bournemouth earlier in the competition.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Tommy Setford, who joined the club in the summer, remains unavailable due to fitness concerns.
This scenario leaves Arteta with limited options, forcing him to rely on 16-year-old Jack Porter. The young goalkeeper has limited experience, having made just six appearances for the Under-18s and a single outing with the Under-21s.
Porter was included in the travelling squad for the Manchester City game but didn’t make the matchday lineup.
Now, he could be thrust into the spotlight for the third-round tie at the Emirates.
Despite the setback, Arsenal are hopeful that Raya will be fit to return in time for their upcoming Premier League fixture against Leicester City on Saturday.
