Head coach Mikel Arteta attended the press conference after leading Arsenal to a 5-1 home victory

After leading Arsenal to a 5-1 home victory over Bolton Wanderers in the third round of the EFL Cup, head coach Mikel Arteta attended the press conference.



It was a great result, and you must be very proud to see so many young faces on the pitch, right?  
Absolutely, it was a very positive night in every aspect, both in terms of the result and performance. We also gave experienced players some game time, and they showcased high levels tonight. Most importantly, as you mentioned, we provided many academy players the opportunity, and their performances were outstanding. Seeing their joy and reactions made it all very rewarding. It was a fantastic evening.

Can I specifically ask about Jack Porter? He broke several records. Can you summarize his preparation and how he reacted when you told him he would start?  
We informed him yesterday, and he was thrilled. I believe he shared the news with his family, who weren't quite ready for it. It’s a significant step for him, and I think they were all a bit nervous. His reaction was excellent; he was calm in training yesterday and today, with great support from his teammates. It was truly a memorable experience and a way to break records.

Regarding Enwa Neri's first two goals, I felt there was a moment he could have passed but confidently chose to shoot. What are your thoughts on that? What does it reflect about him? 
For the second goal, I was genuinely happy for him because he scored. I knew how his teammates would react if he hadn't, so overall, it was a fantastic performance. He really feels like part of the team, playing with confidence and understanding what to do on the pitch. He left a strong impression on us.

In terms of experienced players, there were several key moments, like Gabriel directing play and Jakub Kiwior challenging for headers. Are these moments crucial for you? Do you encourage veterans to guide younger players? 
Yes, they were already doing this in training yesterday, offering advice to the younger players. I think the young players feel comfortable with them because they’re great players who can be themselves. If they have any fears, they’re encouraged to ask, and the veterans are happy to help. It’s wonderful to see that leadership and care, which is important at any stage of our careers.

For Raheem Sterling, it was a wonderful night for him, clearly scoring a goal, but how was his overall performance?
Yes, very good. I think he’s improving steadily. You can see his physical condition getting better, and when the game opened up a bit, you could see his impact. He was involved in several goals, making it a very positive night for him.

Can you update us on David Raya’s situation? Obviously, Jack Porter played instead; will he recover for the weekend?  
We don't know yet.

What kind of injury does he have? Is it a thigh injury? 
Yes, it’s a muscle injury.

With several young players at the club, why did you choose Jack Porter over others?  
Jack has been training with us since pre-season, and we believe he can handle the role. He’s also played for the England youth teams. We’ve seen his abilities, and we’re confident it was the right choice.

Many fans are wondering, especially about Enwa Neri, who is now on the bench weekly; how close is he to getting more first-team minutes in the league?  
Let’s see; it’s another step forward. I think it’s exceeded anyone’s expectations. Since he joined the first team, he’s consistently surprised everyone, and he deserves it. He’s part of our team, so he will get game time.

Jurgen Klopp mentioned dreaming of having a team made up entirely of academy players. Is that a dream of yours? Having so many young players emerging to form a starting XI? 
I have other dreams, but that’s a nice one, and it is possible. The reality of dreams is the team we have, which I must manage.

How many of these players will still have to go to school tomorrow?  
Indeed, a few of them need to go to school, and I think that’s great. They were all excited after the game, interacting with the other players to express their gratitude. It was a beautiful moment.

What were you doing at 16? What were you like back then? 
At 16, I was in Barcelona, living alone at La Masia, training between the B team and the first team.

Do you see any of yourself in Jack? 
In Jack? No, I wasn't thrust into this position like he was. When I was 17, I made a big leap to Paris from the B team, which was significant. I understand that feeling, but I had more time to prepare than Jack.

Have you talked to him about your experiences?  
No, I haven’t.

People often discuss the tight schedule. You’ve played three games in seven days. How do you detach from football amid such pressure every week?  
Right now, it’s not easy. We spend little time with family at home because we’re busy preparing for matches, considering lineups, travel, possible scenarios, and how to prepare for them. We are really busy, but that’s what we want. Emotionally, physically, and as a learning experience as a coach, it has been an incredible week. We have many issues to resolve, and things can differ dramatically from what I was thinking during the international break. So everything is going well.

What hobbies do you have? 
My biggest hobby is spending time with my wife and kids when I have free time. Tennis is another, but I don’t have much time to play. The kids want me to play PlayStation and Mario Kart with them, but I'm not really into that at the moment.

This summer, many young players left the club to pursue their careers elsewhere. How do you think this current group of young players compares to those who left in the summer?  
I think it’s a matter of timing in their careers. You start dreaming or pursuing certain goals, and once you achieve those, you seek something else. During their time at the club, they felt the club couldn’t provide those opportunities, so they needed to go elsewhere to realize their ambitions. I think that’s quite natural.