Two more of our youngsters made winning starts to their Arsenal careers, starring in our 3-0 victory against Preston North End on Wednesday.
Our summer signing from Ajax, 18-year-old Tommy Setford, played the full 90 minutes, keeping a clean sheet in the process. Hale End Academy product Ayden Heaven came on in central defence for the last ten minutes – the two became the 911th and 912th players in our history respectively.
It comes hot on the heels of four academy products all making debuts in the third-round win over Bolton.
After the game we spoke to both players, who were understandably delighted with their debuts. Here’s what they told us…
On his debut being a dream…
TS: Yeah, it is, it is. I came here three months ago and today I made my professional debut and my debut for The Arsenal, so it’s a special moment and I’m happy with the clean sheet.
On the clean sheet making it special…
TS: Yeah, exactly, 100 per cent. We worked hard, we deserved the game and I think we deserved it as well, we were good in a lot of ways.
On his reaction when he knew he was starting…
TS: Obviously I couldn’t sleep last night, I slept at like 2 o’clock. Obviously I was gassed and I was looking forward to it as well. I was excited, so it was good.
On Ayden making his debut…
AH: Yeah, I’ve waited a long time. Today the day finally came, I’m just happy. I thank my teammates, my family and everyone that’s got me here, so yeah, I’m just really happy.
On what the manager said…
AH: They said do your thing basically. They showed me what I had to do on set pieces and I’m confident in my ability anyway, so I knew I was going to have a good game when I came on.
On what it means…
AH: I feel like Mikel has trust in me. I feel that’s a big part in it and yeah, I just feel like there’s trust when it comes to making your competitive debut.
On Nwaneri’s goal…
AH: Yeah, I’m used to it now, I’ve seen him do it all of last year. I’ve grown up with him as well. I joined when I was 13 and he was here as well, so yeah, it’s been a long time.
On playing more in the competition…
TS: Yeah, 100 per cent, but that choice isn’t down to me, that choice is to Mikel, but I hope I showed him enough tonight and he can play me in the quarter-finals, so we’ll just wait and see.
On making a speech after the game…
TS: Yeah, he said congrats to us on our debut and I offered to do a speech because I owe him a speech. I told them that I was happy that they push me in training and I finally can make my debut, it was a special moment.
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