Summer goalkeeper signing Tommy Setford appears set for a first-team role with Arsenal this season, based on a dressing-room hint.
Jeorge Bird of Arsenal Youth spotted that Tommy Setford had his name printed above his seat in the Arsenal dressing room ahead of the Gunners’ friendly against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.
The first-team players all have their names above their seats in the dressing room this season, but there are empty spaces for youth players in the squad like Josh Nichols, Ethan Nwaneri, and Myles Lewis-Skelly for the Leverkusen match.
The one exception was Setford, who was believed to be an academy addition but who now appears to be part of the first-team squad instead.
Bird also highlights Setford’s number, 36, is the lowest number an academy player can be given, putting him as close as possible to the senior squad numbers 1 to 35.
The situation could certainly change, with Arsenal submitting a bid for Dan Bentley earlier in the summer and also showing an interest in Joan Garcia.
It’s very unlikely both would join without any departures, but it still seems possible Arsenal could sign Bentley even if Aaron Ramsdale decides to stay. In that case, you’d imagine Setford would end up back with the u21s more consistently.
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 17: Dan Bentley of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on December 17, 2023 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Dan Bentley of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on December 17, 2023.
For the time being, with Karl Hein close to a loan move and only David Raya and Ramsdale ahead of him, it looks like Setford is going into the season as Arsenal’s third-choice goalkeeper.
