Raheem Sterling scored his first goal for Arsenal, and Jack Porter made history as the club’s youngest-ever starter in a dominant 5-1 victory over Bolton in the League Cup on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Liverpool advanced to the last 16 with a 5-1 win against struggling West Ham.

Sterling, who joined Arsenal from Chelsea on transfer deadline day, found the net in the second half of the third-round match at the Emirates Stadium. At 29, he hopes this goal signifies a resurgence after a challenging two-year stint at Chelsea.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made seven changes following a dramatic 2-2 draw against Premier League champions Manchester City, including giving Porter his record-breaking debut in goal due to David Raya’s injury. At just 16 years and 72 days old, Porter surpassed Cesc Fabregas, who was 16 years and 177 days when he first started for Arsenal in 2003.

Porter is now the second-youngest player in Arsenal’s history, following Ethan Nwaneri, who debuted at 15 years and 181 days in 2022.

Declan Rice opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 16th minute with a precise finish from the edge of the box, marking his first goal of the season. In the 37th minute, it was fitting that Nwaneri, celebrating his own first start, doubled the lead with a close-range finish from Sterling’s cross.

Nwaneri struck again just after half-time, scoring a composed goal from 12 yards. Porter faced his first challenge in the 53rd minute when Aaron Collins skillfully navigated around him to score for Bolton.

Sterling added to the tally in the 64th minute, tapping in after a cross from Saka was mishandled by Bolton’s goalkeeper, Luke Southwood. Kai Havertz capped off the rout with a close-range goal in the 78th minute.