'He's got the qualities we're looking for': Mikel Arteta hints Arsenal academy gem could make his debut tonight

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Arsenal are in Carabao Cup action on Wednesday night as they head to Championship side Preston North End.

The Gunners will be eager to take another step closer to a major trophy as they take on the second tier’s 16th-placed outfit.

There’s a chance Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could look to ring the changes for the game, with an eye on Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off at Newcastle.

On Tuesday, several academy gems were spotted in training, and Arteta has now spoken highly of one such player, saying he’s in the picture to feature against Preston.

Tommy Setford in picture for potential Arsenal debut

The player in question is Tommy Setford, who plays in goal for Arsenal’s Under-21s and also for England’s Under-19s.

The Gunners signed the 18-year-old just this summer, bringing him to the Emirates Stadium from Ajax.

Setford has been in three Arsenal matchday squads so far this term, making the bench against Brighton, Bournemouth and Shakhtar Donetsk.

However, an injury meant he missed out on the chance to play against Bolton Wanderers in the third round.

With David Raya suffering an injury ahead of that game and Neto cup-tied, the Gunners picked 16-year-old Jack Porter in that game.

Now, with Setford available once again, there’s a chance Arteta could give him a chance against Preston rather than starting Raya.

Arteta was asked, as per football.london, what he had seen from Setford since he arrived at Arsenal, and whether he could start on Wednesday.

“We brought him because we know he's got the qualities we're looking for with our goalkeeping area,” said the Arsenal boss.

“But unfortunately he's been injured so he hasn't really played. Let's see if we play him or not tomorrow.”

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Arsenal beat Tottenham to Setford signing

TEAMTalk reported last November that Arsenal’s arch-rivals Tottenham were looking to sign Setford, with Chelsea and Newcastle also keen.

However, nothing came of the speculation, and now the Gunners have managed to land the Haarlem-born gem.

Arteta hasn’t been shy in giving youth a chance and it would certainly be good to see Setford make his senior Arsenal debut in the cup.