Given that the goalkeeping position is one in which prospects often don’t tend to mature until much later, it is somewhat exciting that Arsenal have two shot-stoppers in their U18 squad who have much potential.
Jack Porter has already made history this season by becoming the youngest ever goalkeeper to start a first-team game for Arsenal when he featured against Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup.
Porter has subsequently trained with the first-team on numerous occasions and has also featured prominently for the U18s.
Ranson, meanwhile, has made three appearances for the U21s in Premier League 2 and is also very highly regarded by the club.
Porter appeared to be ahead in the pecking order given that he was selected to start in the FA Youth Cup defeat to Manchester United recently, in which he produced another impressive display.
However, following the 6-3 loss to Tottenham in the league coach Adam Birchall elected to give Ranson an opportunity against Chelsea yesterday.
Ranson certainly took his chance and although he conceded a penalty he quickly redeemed himself by saving the spot-kick.
It will now be very interesting to see who Birchall starts against Leicester on Saturday but both goalkeepers look to have bright futures ahead of them.
Both Porter and Ranson are very much modern goalkeepers in terms of their impressive distribution and they also command their penalty area well.
The pair have much respect for each other and work hard in training to ensure that they can both continue to develop well.
With regards to older goalkeepers, Arsenal are currently able to call upon the likes of Tommy Setford and Lucas Nygaard.
If either of those were to go on loan next season then an opportunity could arise for either Porter or Ranson to get more experience with the U21s.
For now the focus is on a very interesting battle at U18 level.