It has been a rapid progression for 18-year-old goalkeeper Tommy Setford, who became our first signing of the summer when he joined the club in July. Having been on the bench already several times this season, he's in line to make his first-team debut against Preston North End in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
Yet it shouldn’t be surprising that Mikel Arteta and his coaching team have great faith in the young stopper because he arrived with an excellent reputation, having starred for Ajax’s youth teams and represented England at numerous junior levels – as too does his older brother Charlie.
Playing for England but being based in the Netherlands is obviously quite an unusual combination, and Tommy’s move to Arsenal actually saw him take residence in England for the first time in his life. We caught up with Tommy recently to ask him about the move, and life at the Gunners so far...
So, tell us about life growing up in the Netherlands, Tommy…
I grew up in a neighborhood called Bennebroek, about 15 minutes from Haarlem and half an hour from Amsterdam. I first got into football because of my older brother, Charlie. He was really into it and, like most younger siblings, I just copied what he was doing. That’s how my football journey began. Charlie loved football, especially being a goalkeeper. He was inspired by Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg after that famous save he made against Kaka in the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals. Naturally, since my brother wanted to be like Stekelenburg, I wanted to follow in his footsteps too.
So it was goalkeeper for you from day one?
When I started playing when I was about five or six, I tried playing outfield, but I always ended up in goal because we’d do penalties at the end of every session, and I was good at saving them.
“I knew in my heart that Arsenal was the right move for me. I wanted to take the next step in my career”
How were your talents first spotted?
I played for a local team called SV BSM – that was my first club. Not long after, my brother and I went to a talent showcase day, and Ajax scouted both of us. They wanted Charlie, and while they showed interest in me as well, I was too young. When I turned seven I was old enough and I joined Ajax – the biggest club in Holland, which was incredible. But honestly, at that age, I didn’t fully understand how big a deal it was; I just wanted to play football with my friends. I was at Ajax for 11 years and made so many great friends there. One of the biggest highlights for me was signing my first professional contract with the club. We also won a lot of tournaments – we had a very talented team.
From one talented team to another, tell us about the move to north London…
It came about around three to four months ago. I was told Arsenal were interested and, soon after, one of the scouts flew to Amsterdam to meet me. We talked for about two hours about the club and their plans for me. Then I visited the training ground, met the academy goalkeeping coaches, and from that moment, I had a really good feeling.
I knew in my heart that Arsenal was the right move for me. I wanted to take the next step in my career, and I believed Arsenal would be the perfect place for me to develop further, especially with the opportunity to play in England.
How has it been for you so far?
Honestly, the first month at Arsenal was one of the toughest periods of my career. The intensity of the training and learning the principles of goalkeeping here was a lot to take in. I had to adapt quickly, but now I’m getting the hang of it. I’m feeling more settled, my performances are becoming more consistent, and I’m doing well.
Going on the US tour with the first team was an amazing experience. I’d never been on a tour with Ajax, so it was all new to me. The first-team players and staff were very welcoming, which made it easier for us younger players such as Ethan Nwaneri, Josh Nicholls and Ayden Heaven to feel comfortable.
And you have a European Championship-winning goalkeeper to learn from in the ranks here now…
Yes, and we’ve got a really strong goalkeepers’ union at Arsenal with talented players like David and Neto. One of David’s standout qualities is his consistency – he rarely makes mistakes and is always fully focused. His reactions are lightning quick, and his intensity in training and matches is top-notch.
Having just come back from international duty with the England under-19s, I haven’t had the chance to train with Neto yet but I’m really looking forward to that too.
“David Raya’s reactions are lightning quick, and his intensity in training and matches is top-notch”
It’s great to get more international experience. Remind us again why you represent England and not Holland?
Although I was born in the Netherlands I represent England because of my dad, who is English. Growing up, we always supported England, and I’ve always felt a strong connection to the country. One of my proudest moments was playing for England Under-17s in the World Cup in Indonesia – that was definitely a highlight of my career so far.
And your dad excels in a different sport, doesn’t he?
Yeah, he’s a professional golfer and he also teaches golf. We’re definitely a sporty family, although he hasn’t had much luck teaching me golf – I keep topping the ball! My mum plays a huge role too. She helps prepare me and my brother mentally and gives us a lot of encouragement before big games.
How did it feel being with the first-team squad for our game against Brighton?
A very proud moment – it was unbelievable! A year ago, I was still playing at the Ajax Academy, and now I was the second-choice keeper for a Premier League game at Arsenal – it’s crazy to think about. Before the match I had a chat with Inaki, the goalkeeping coach, and he asked if I was ready to play. I said, “Absolutely.” He reminded me to stay focused, enjoy the experience, and be ready if anything happened to David. They prepared me really well for that moment.
And when you do play for the first team, what kind of keeper can the supporters expect to see?
If I had to pick my best qualities, I’d say I’m good at reading the game and understanding the opponent’s press. I’m brave, and my technical abilities on the ball are also a strong attribute.
Finally, what are your aims for the rest of the season?
My main goal is to play as many games as I can for the Under-21s and have a consistent season. If I get more opportunities with the first team, I want to prove myself on the big stage and show the coaches and fans that I’m ready for Premier League football.
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