Who is Tommy Setford? What did his substitution show Mikel Arteta has learned as Arsenal beat Wigan in the Emirates FA Cup?

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Arsenal thrashed League One side Wigan Athletic in the Emirates FA Cup as they continued their quest for the quadruple. Goals from Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and an own goal by Jack Hunt saw The Gunners ease into the fifth round. Late on though, Tommy Setford replaced Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Arsenal goal, prompting the question to be asked: Who is Tommy Setford?

Highlights: Arsenal cruise into fifth round with win over Wigan

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Arsenal continued their quest for the quadruple with a 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic to advance to the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Goals from Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and an own goal by Jack Hunt all came in the opening 27 minutes as the Premier League leaders flexed their muscles over the League One strugglers.

Late on in the game, though, there was a substitution that may have confused some viewers as 19-year-old Tommy Setford replaced Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Arsenal goal.

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It was perhaps a sign that Mikel Arteta is planning to use him more in the coming weeks of the season, with so much action still to play for as the campaign heads towards the business end.

But, who is Tommy Setford?

Who is Tommy Setford?

Born in the Netherlands to an English father and a Dutch mother, Setford spent the majority of his youth career at Eredivisie giants Ajax.

In 2024, he moved to the Arsenal academy on a four-year contract, with the option to extend into his fifth season.

Setford has played for every age group between England U16 and England U21 and his brother, Charlie Setford, is also an England age group keeper, who still plies his trade at Ajax.

In the 2024/25 season, Setford made his senior Arsenal debut in a 3-0 win over Preston North End in the Carabao Cup.

Teenager Setford comes on for Arsenal in rare goalkeeper substitution

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Now in the 2025/26 season, Setford came on to make his FA Cup debut – suggesting Premier League and UEFA Champions League action may not be too far away.

He is clearly highly regarded by Arteta and the squad, with player of the match against Wigan Christian Norgaard praising him.

"I think I need to highlight Tommy today, I know it is only five or six minutes but it is that one action from a free-kick where he is just ready and he catches the ball and makes everything easier for us," the Dane told TNT Sports.

"So well done to him and hopefully many more games in the future for him for Arsenal."

What does Setford coming on reveal about Arteta?

Arteta is not afraied to make changes when it comes to goalkeepers, with Aaron Ramsdale the first-choice Arsenal goalkeeper in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons.

But, he decided to change that and bring in David Raya from Brentford - and the Spanish keeper quickly became his No. 1 where he has remained ever since.

Arteta likes to have at least two top-quality goalkeepers though, and he feels that much like an outfield position, replacing the man in the net should become normalised.

In 2023, Arteta said: "I didn’t have the courage to do it [bring on a goalkeeper], but I am able to take a winger or a striker and put a central defender at the back to make a back five and hold that result.

"Someone is going to do it, and it’ll be strange and you’ll ask why, but tell me why not?

Setford shows bravery in coming to claim high free-kick for first touch

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"If you have all the qualities in another goalkeeper to do something, or if something is happening and you want to change the momentum, then do it.

"It is a regret that I have and now my feeling is to get everybody engaged in the team that they have to play, regardless of the competition - this is my message."

It seems with Setford coming on for Kepa, that Arteta may have plucked up the courage to change his keepers more going forward, which is something to watch out for.

What did Arteta say about Setford?

Arteta was asked about his goalkeeper in the post-match press conference and said: "I think everybody has to feel that he’s got a chance, and if there are players, one of them would be Tommy for his attitude and the way he helps everybody every single day.

"So if we have a chance to play him in some minutes, we have to try to do it. I think he was very happy."

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