Arsenal produced a fine display to beat Preston in the fourth round of the EFL Cup, and this game also saw two more young talents make their senior debuts.
Defender Ayden Heaven was an unused substitute against Bolton Wanderers in the previous round, but he came on against Preston to join a defensive unit in front of a debutant goalkeeper.
Tommy Setford joined Arsenal from Ajax in the summer window as an outstanding young prospect, but a failure to sign a number three goalkeeper meant that the 18-year-old was promoted to the role.
Setford missed the Bolton game with injury, but started and kept a clean sheet against Preston in an impressive debut, and he has expressed his delight after this landmark moment in his career.
Tommy Setford delighted after Arsenal debut vs Preston
Speaking to club media after the 3-0 victory at Deepdale Stadium, Setford revealed that he asked Mikel Arteta if he could give a speech to the Arsenal squad, in which he expressed his gratitude towards his teammates.
“He (Arteta) said congrats to us on our debut and I offered to do a speech because I owe him a speech,” he revealed.
“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.”
Could Tommy Setford play in the EFL Cup quarter-final?
Arsenal have been drawn at home to Crystal Palace in the quarter-final of the EFL Cup, and whilst Arteta may be tempted to play David Raya against Premier League opposition, Setford hopes he can be included again.
“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,” Setford added.
With second-choice goalkeeper Neto cup-tied in the competition, a further cup run could see Setford given more opportunities to test himself at a higher level than he imagined he would play in when he joined.
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