According to Jeorge Bird, Mikel Arteta has now promoted Karl Hein to the Arsenal first-team.
What’s the story?
Well, the 20-year-old impressed during a loan spell at Reading last season, keeping one clean sheet in his five Championship appearances, while conceding eight goals.
Unfortunately, a freak finger injury ruined his progress, but the £3,000-a-week glovesman has clearly done enough to impress Arteta.
Bird believes Hein has now been given the No.31 shirt at the Emirates Stadium, and he is expected to become the third choice goalkeeper behind Aaron Ramsdale and Matt Turner in the 2022/23 campaign.
That is, of course, dependant on Alex Runarsson leaving.
It comes after Bernd Leno joined Fulham on a permanent basis, while Arthur Okonkwo also left to join Crewe Alexandra on loan.
Unfortunately, Hein was unable to play during pre-season due to injury, but he is expected to make a return soon.
The Estonia international has never made a first-team appearance for Arsenal, but he has amassed 26 appearances for the Under-21 side, as well as eight outings for the Under-18 team.
Arsenal have a gem in Karl Hein
Amazingly, Hein has already won 12 caps for Estonia at the age of 20, giving him invaluable experience up against some of the very best footballers on the planet.
Of course, Ramsdale is only 24 himself, and looks set to have the No.1 shirt for the foreseeable future.
However, Hein’s progress in north London certainly shouldn’t be ignored.
In our view, it would be wrong to keep him around as third choice this season, when another loan spell and regular action would surely be better for his development.
Ultimately, Arteta knows best, but there is no denying that Arsenal have a big talent on their hands in Hein.
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