Third-choice Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein will make his first-team debut against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup this evening.
The 20-year-old was promoted to the Arsenal first-team squad over the summer following the sale of Bernd Leno to Fulham. Despite making the substitutes bench on a number of occasions this season, the Estonia international has not yet made it onto the pitch for the Gunners.
But that is set to change on Wednesday evening after Mikel Arteta named Hein in his starting line-up to face Brighton. Aaron Ramsdale has been left out of the squad while Matt Turner has to settle for a place on the bench.
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But who exactly is the wonderkid that has been named in the Arsenal starting line-up? football.london takes a look.
Who is Karl Hein?
Karl Hein is a 20-year-old goalkeeper currently on the books at Arsenal having joined the club in the summer of 2018 from FC Nomme United - a club in his native Estonia.
Before his move to the Emirates Stadium, Hein was regarded as one of the most promising players in Estonia and was also linked with a move to Brighton and Hove Albion, as well as Serie A giants Juventus.
In addition, he once had an offer to join Manchester United, only to reject them.
"Manchester United’s offer was a shock because it’s such a big club and I admired Edwin Van der Sar and their 2008 team, whose videos I’ve watched on YouTube," he told the Estonian FA, as per Sport Witness.
"Therefore, at first, it seemed a little bit unbelievable that I would have the opportunity to go to that club."
Hein was sent on loan to Reading in January 2022 and made five appearances as the Royals finished seventh in the Championship. Reading manager at the time, Veljko Paunovic, said on Hein's arrival: “Karl is an international goalkeeper with good temperament, obvious ability and the hunger to improve and impress.
"He is a welcome addition to our squad and will increase the strength of our team for our remaining fixtures this season.”
How has he fared this season?
All of Hein's four appearances this season have come for Arsenal U21s. The youngster played 90 minutes for Mehmet Ali's side against Brighton U21 in August, although he conceded two goals in a match which finished 2-2. Hein also appeared in a 2-1 win against Leicester U21 in October.
He has also featured twice for Ali's side in the EFL Trophy, which included keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Cambridge United.
Hein is also a full Estonia international with 16 caps to his name after making his debut in the UEFA Nations League game against Georgia in September 2020.
What has been said about Hein?
According to former Arsenal U23's manager Steve Bould, the Gunners have a "really good keeper in the making".
"I think he’s had a great season," Bould told Arsenal.com in 2020.
"He kicks off the year and I think he gave away a couple of goals which is normal for a young kid, but he’s really matured and he looks like a really good keeper in the making."
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