League One’s Stevenage have approached Arsenal over a loan deal for promising goalkeeper Tommy Setford, but the Gunners are currently standing firm, insisting he remains their third-choice stopper for the upcoming season.
Arsenal Hold Tight on Setford After Stevenage Loan Bid
According to James McNicholas of The Athletic, Arsenal have blocked the move at least for now because they value Setford’s presence in the senior squad.
With new signing Kepa Arrizabalaga arriving to sit alongside David Raya, Setford is seen as a key backup should injuries or suspensions strike.
At just 19, Setford has already debuted under the bright lights of senior football, featuring in the League Cup last October and earning praise for keeping a clean sheet in a 3–0 victory against Preston North End.
Arsenal believe his development would benefit from being around seasoned professionals like Raya and Kepa during training sessions.
That said, with fellow young keepers like Karl Hein possibly heading out on loan again, Setford remains the preferred third option positioned above other academy prospects including Lucas Nygaard, Alexei Rojas, Jack Porter, and Khari Ranson.
But Arsenal’s stance isn’t set in stone. The club are reportedly open to revisiting the decision before the summer window closes.
Should Hein stay at the club or impress during pre-season, it could pave the way for Setford to move temporarily and gain regular match minutes.
For Setford, who moved from Ajax to Arsenal last summer and quickly rose through the ranks at Hale End, the loan would be a valuable step toward first-team football.
As summer unfolds, all eyes are on pre-season performances. If Setford sees fewer minutes behind the scenes, a loan to Stevenage or another lower-league side could still materialize.
