A member of Arsenal’s academy has caught the attention of newly-appointed coach, David Horseman.
It’s been quite the week for Horseman, who shocked many by leaving Manchester United just months after joining the Red Devils.
Arsenal confirmed that Horseman had joined the club as Professional Development Phase Elite Player Development Coach, where he’ll work closely with U21s coach Max Porter, among others.
Arsenal’s academy has produced some stellar talent over the years, something that Mikel Arteta is benefiting tremendously from.
In Horseman’s first game, the coach singled out one player for praise, a starlet who has already been debuted by Arteta in Arsenal’s first team.
Arsenal U21 coach David Horseman praises Tommy Setford
After bidding farewell to Man United, Horseman was able to assess Arsenal’s U21 side for the first time in the Vertu Trophy clash against League Two Newport County.
It was a dramatic first game for Horseman, as Arsenal left it late to win, coming from a goal down to win 2-1 in the 89th minute.
Andre Harriman-Annous and Charles Sagoe Junior got on the scoresheet, but, post-match, Horseman singled out a different player for praise.
“Tommy [Setford] really did help in goal,” Horseman told Arsenal’s official website.
“I have to say I think he was absolutely outstanding, coming for things and making first contact, it really helped the young lads.”
Setford, who made his debut for Arsenal in last season’s Carabao Cup meeting with Preston North End, showed his maturity between the sticks, with his ability standing out to one of his new coaches.
It’s uplifting to learn that the goalkeeper is benefiting from his work with the first team despite not playing often, being a part of Inaki Cana’s group in training, alongside the experience and quality of David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Newport County’s manager praised Arsenal U21’s Vertu Trophy performance
By Horseman’s assessment, Setford made the difference in the contest to help Arsenal on their way to the win.
For Newport, it was a bitter blow to lose to Arsenal’s U21 side, with manager Dave Hughes taking the time to applaud one thing the Gunners did particularly well.
“You’ve got to give credit to them, individually tonight, 1v1 in all of those individual duels, they posed as a problem, they posed as a challenge, and we didn’t get to grips with it.”
From late goals to duel-winning, to a strong goalkeeping performance, Horseman will be a happy man after watching his first U21s game since making the move to Hale End.
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