Arsenal teenager makes number switch after new signing takes his | OneFootball

Tommy Setford has become the latest Arsenal player to reveal a number change ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, after his old number was taken by Martin Zubimendi.

Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Ever since Martin Zubimendi officially signed for Arsenal, it’s been clear that youth goalkeeper Tommy Setford was set for a new squad number.

With Zubimendi taking Setford’s 36, the 19-year-old had to make a change, but photos of Arsenal’s latest pre-season training session reveal that it’s not a significant alteration.

Setford can be seen wearing the number 35 shirt, previously worn by Mohamed Elneny, Gabriel Martinelli, and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Setford is far from the only Arsenal player to be changing numbers ahead of the new campaign.

David Raya is the new Arsenal number one, whilst Ethan Nwaneri will now wear 22. Returning loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga had to switch to 28 after Mikel Merino took his old number, and plenty of youth players have changed numbers – as is standard in the lower age groups.

Then there are the new signings, with Zubimendi getting 36, Christian Norgaard 16, and Kepa Arrizabalaga 13.

Photo via Arsenal.com

Arsenal still seemingly intend to make further signings this summer, so it’s worth highlighting the currently vacant squad numbers: 3, 5, 10, 14, 18, 20, 25, 26, 27, 30, 32, and 34.

Numbers above 36 are usually allocated to youth players, with some exceptions like Declan Rice (41) and Myles Lewis-Skelly (49). So the likes of Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, and Eberechi Eze have the above list to choose from if they can complete their proposed transfers.