Las Palmas Target Arsenal Goalkeeper Tommy Setford On Loan
Setford during Arsenal's 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
According to Sam Dean of The Telegraph, Spanish side Las Palmas are eyeing a one-year loan move for Arsenal and England youth international goalkeeper Tommy Setford.
Setford has travelled with the Premier League champions to both Arsenal's friendlies away in Girona and Dublin, but wasn't named in the squad for either match, with both fixtures coming against Spanish opposition.
Despite being the club's third-choice goalkeeper over the past two seasons, the 20-year-old has made appearances for the Gunners in both of those seasons in cup competitions.
Setford warming up for Arsenal U21 (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Setford warming up for Arsenal U21 (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Cup Outings With the Gunners
The first of which came against Preston North End on 30 October 2024 away at Deepdale, where he kept a clean sheet in a dominant 3-0 win to send Mikel Arteta's side into the Quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, where they would go on to beat Crystal Palace at home.
His second appearance for the club came against League One opposition Wigan Athletic in the Fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup.
After Arsenal scored four goals in the opening 27 minutes, the England youth international was brought on in the 87th minute to see out the rest of the match, with the Gunners comfortably progressing to the next round of the competition, in which they have had much success.
However, with Arteta adding a fourth goalkeeper to his ranks this summer in former Leeds United shotstopper Illan Meslier, this should open up the space for Setford to go out on loan and gain valuable experience as a starter.
Ins and Outs From the Champions
It has been an interesting transfer window for the Gunners so far, especially in their highly publicised interest in Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior last week.
That being said, much like a number of clubs in the division, there has not been as much activity in the transfer market as there was last season.
The Gunners have looked to reinforce the left wing, bringing in Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge in Belgium for £34 million, replacing the outgoing Leandro Trossard, with the winger, who was pivotal in Arsenal's Premier League success last season, joining Turkish side Beşiktaş.
Other outgoings include Christian Nørgaard, who, after a successful season in North London, joins Everton; Jakub Kiwior joins FC Porto permanently; Karl Hein signs for Bundesliga club Werder Bremen; and Alexei Rojas departs the club to sign for Penafiel in Portugal.
As for new additions, Tzolis joins Meslier and Piero Hincapié, with the latter permanently signing after his fantastic loan spell at the club last season.
Season Opener On the Horizon
There is much excitement surrounding the North London club after their recent success ahead of the new season, which kicks off in 14 days when Arsenal entertain Championship champions Coventry City.
However, Arsenal's transfer activity doesn't look to be cooling any time soon, with Bruno Guimarães looking to put pen to paper imminently after completing a reported £72 million transfer from Newcastle United.