_Tommy Setford's first season at Arsenal has been something of a whirlwind._
After joining us from Ajax Under-18s in July, within just a few weeks he was named on the bench for our Premier League game at home to Brighton following Aaron Ramsdale’s departure to Southampton. Injury then disrupted his progress, robbing him of the chance of playing at Emirates Stadium against Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup, but he did make his first-team debut in that competition at the end of October, keeping a clean sheet in our 3-0 win away to Preston North End. Since then he’s featured for our under-21s and under-19s, and also been on the bench for Mikel Arteta’s side in all of our Champions League fixtures. Now 19 years old, Tommy’s rapid development in training this season has been rewarded with a permanent place in the first-team dressing room, as he continues to settle into life in London. Born and raised in the Netherlands, but qualifying to play for England through his father, we caught up with Tommy recently to ask him about his debut season as a Gunner.
**How would you sum up your first season at Arsenal so far? What have been your highlights?**
It’s been amazing, beginning with the actual transfer itself. The fact that Arsenal were interested in me to begin with, and could see the potential in me is amazing. It’s a dream just to be here. My highlights so far were being with the squad for the Premier League and Champions League games I’ve been a part of, and of course making my debut against Preston. That was a special moment. But really I’m most proud of the development I’ve made over the past nine months – or seven months including the injuries. That’s been amazing, so yeah it’s all been really good.
**Because you are an England youth international, people often forget that you moved from your home country of the Netherlands for the first time, so how long did it take for you to settle here?**
I think I still am really, it takes time. I was 18 when I moved, and I’d lived in Holland all my life. It’s difficult because everything is very different. Holland is a much smaller country than England so I’ve had to adapt to everything – off the pitch as well. Even silly things like driving on the left – I’m not used to that! I’ve never lived by myself before either. My mum and dad have always taken really good care of me, so moving out was strange. I moved into a hotel at first, then I was in digs, which was great, but now I’ve got my own place so it’s really good because my family and friends can come over, and my girlfriend too. They come over whenever they can, but my brother plays football too back in Holland so it’s not always easy. I think I’m known as the FaceTime Kid now at the training ground because I’m always FaceTiming my parents or my brother or my girlfriend!
**What about at the club, who has helped you settle here?**
Well Ethan and Myles have been great, because I knew them already from playing for England, but to be honest everyone has been great. They knew I’d moved over from Holland so they have all tried to help me. Jurrien Timber as well, he’s been like a brother to me here. I can ask him everything, we have a chat all the time because we have that Dutch connection, and he played at Ajax too so he’s been really good for me.
**How have you found things on the pitch? What’s the level like in training?**
Honestly, in the first six weeks, I didn't save anything, everything went past me. I thought I had completely lost it! It wasn’t to do with nerves or trying too hard or anything like that, it’s just that the standard was so much higher than I was used to. I was worried, but my coaches said to me that things take time, to keep working at it. I had come from Ajax under-18s straight to the Arsenal first team, I don’t think many people have made that step, especially not keepers. It was crazy, I really wanted to show myself, but wasn’t able to do it at first. I manage it all now, but those first six weeks were tough.
**Have you noticed a big development in your game this season then?**
Huge! Yes, 100 per cent I’ve improved so much. I’ve played a few games for the under-21s and in the UEFA Youth League, but for a young keeper training is so important because you don’t play as many matches. That's why training is very important for me, so I if I train like I play, I can get a higher standard in my playing. I don't control how many games I play, but obviously, I train almost every day. And I control that, so I have to do my best in every single moment and every single action. That's what I try and do.
> "It’s been great to travel with the team to Champions League games. It’s the biggest stage in football and I’ve been able to see close up how the players prepare for it. "
**What have been the main changes in your game then since you arrived?**
Everything. I mean I’ve changed a lot - physically, mentally, tactically, every part of my goalkeeping has improved. That’s thanks to my coaching, being in this environment, working with the other keepers – the whole picture. David Raya has helped me a lot. He's like my mentor as a goalie – not a bad mentor to have! Then my coaches, Inaki and Terry, they really help me every day. And I want it, I really want it, so I work hard every day. But Terry always says to me that it takes time, you can’t microwave it!
**What does training look like for you on a typical day?**
Normally myself and Alexei \[Rojas\] will support David and Neto. On matchday minus two and matchday minus one it’s about supporting them with their work - putting in crosses, cutbacks and so on. Then when they join up with the team for 11 v 11 tactical work, myself, Alexei and Terry will have half an hour working on different drills together.
**You have recently been promoted to the first team dressing room full time, how do you juggle working with the first team and playing for the under-21s as well?**
I switch between the two, but it's not that difficult, because the 21s and the first team have similar ways of playing. I have to look for the signs in how we are playing and what we do in certain moments. I’ve got a really good relationship with all the keepers – they are great to work with and chat to. It’s a good goalkeeping union here!
**You mentioned your debut against Preston in the Carabao Cup, tell us about that day.**
I couldn’t play in the previous round because I was injured, so I was hoping to be involved against Preston. When I was told I’d be starting, I couldn’t sleep the night before – I was so nervous. But then on the way to the stadium I was treating it like any other game. I was thinking ‘it’s just 11 v 11 like I’ve done so many times before.’ It’s a bigger stage though, so you get nervous, but when I stepped on the pitch, I was so confident. I looked around, saw my parents, waved to them and that gave me confidence. I knew everybody had faith in me. Then when I played my first pass I relaxed and enjoyed it. That game made me realise how much I love football. Those kind of moments are so good, it’s why I play football. I couldn’t stop smiling after the game and I said to myself that football is amazing. I gave my shirt from that game to my dad, and he’s hung it up back home in Holland.
**Was it important for you to make your first-team debut this season, to feel like you have fully arrived?**
Oh yeah, 100 per cent, it makes you feel part of the picture, so it’s nice to tick that box and get on with your work. But it’s also been great to travel with the team to Champions League games. It’s the biggest stage in football and I’ve been able to see close up how the players prepare for it. David Raya is so consistent and even in the Champions League he sees it as just another game and that's the best way. I get to see how professional everybody is.
**Finally, what are your plans for the summer?**
Well England Under-19s have got the Euros in Romania in June. We’re playing Norway, Holland and Germany, so I’m really looking forward to that, it should be amazing. Other than that, I’m not too sure, but I will get back over to Holland at some point as I don’t get the chance during the season and I miss it there. But then I’m really looking forward to starting pre-season at Arsenal having been here a year already. I think the first year is always the hardest, so when I get back next season, I hope I can push the bar even higher. I think the amount I’ve progressed in the last nine months feels like two or three years’ worth of development, so if I can continue to work at that rate, I can get to new levels.
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