Arsenal keeper Karl Hein thwarted Gareth Bale and Co as Estonia drew with Wales and snubbed an offer from Man Utd
ARSENAL’S goalkeeping position has come under scrutiny in recent years.
Bernd Leno’s future is on the line, and the Gunners have splashed out £25million on Aaron Ramsdale.
But at least waiting in reserve they have another promising youngster in Karl Hein.
Estonian international Hein, 19, joined the Premier League side in 2018.
In that time, he has become a full international and has 10 caps to his name.
And against Wales in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, Hein delivered a man-of-the-match display as he shut out Gareth Bale and Co to earn his country a point in a 0-0 draw.
EARLY STARTER
Estonia has already provided the Premier League with one of its great goalkeeping servants in Mart Poom.
So, it was inevitable that Hein would find himself on our shores sooner rather than later.
He began his career in his homeland with Nomme United, where he was discovered.
At the age of just 16 he managed to appear five times in the Estonian third division, before Arsenal came calling.
The North London side fought off Serie A giants Juventus to secure his services in 2018.
IT COULD’VE BEEN MANCHESTER
Later, Hein would go on to reveal that he rejected a move to Manchester United before joining Arsenal’s academy.
“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.”
Bizarrely, one of the reasons he opted for Arsenal came down to public transport.
“I went to every club to show myself. I was at United for three days, in other clubs for a little longer,” he said..
“The first impression might have been deceptive, but it seemed to me that discipline and the organisational side, as well as other details, were at a higher level at Arsenal.
“In Manchester, for example, transport was always late, which is why I was late for training.
“The reception at Arsenal was very friendly and the club left a very good impression, because, let’s be honest, there was no difference in terms of level because both Arsenal and United are among the top in the world.”
HOPES TO GET NOTICED
Hein pulled off top class saves from Bale and Tyler Roberts to earn his side a draw at the Cardiff City Stadium.
He’s rarely featured for the Gunners, popping up in the EFL Trophy for the U23’s and made his first team bow this season in a 2-1 preseason defeat by Hibernian.
But, as fourth-choice, he’s hopeful that his display against Wales will get him noticed by boss Arteta and earn him a chance in the first team.
“I believe and hope that the games will be watched,” he said after the game.
“I will go back to the club like after every team window and do my best in training.”
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Hein did lose his battle with 19-year-old Arthur Okonkwo for promotion to Arteta’s first team earlier this summer, with the latter putting pen to paper on a long-term contract.
And with his own future up in the air, and just a year left on his contract, he might’ve just put himself in the shop window with his display against Wales.
That, or he could make a serious challenge for the Arsenal No1 spot.