Arsenal goalkeeper’s exit not guaranteed with new deal possible | OneFootball

Karl Hein’s departure from Arsenal isn’t a certainty just yet, with the club keen to keep him if they can agree a last-minute contract extension.

Karl Hein celebrating a penalty save (Photo via Arsenal.com)

Whilst the focus was on the battle between Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya for Arsenal’s starting spot this season, one story that went under the radar was around the future of third-choice goalkeeper Karl Hein.

22-year-old Hein was a regular in the Arsenal squad this season, making the bench for all 10 of the team’s Champions League matches, both League Cup games, and five of the Premier League matches.

Yet the goalkeeper’s contract expires this summer, and despite those 17 squad appearances, he didn’t spend a minute of senior football on the pitch.

Karl Hein during a previous loan spell with Reading (Photo via ReadingFC.co.uk)

An exit seemed likely, and James McNicholas reports for The Athletic that until recently, Hein had been set on leaving Arsenal for first-team football.

Yet McNicholas adds that the matter is not entirely closed. Arsenal goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana is a big fan of Hein, and would like to keep him with the group if a last-minute deal can be agreed.

Having the right third-choice goalkeeper is important, as they often go to games even when they aren’t involved in the squad, working with the other two goalkeepers in the warm up.

Ideally, you want to keep your goalkeeping group together, allowing them to bond and push each other on. But if Hein and Ramsdale leave this summer, Arsenal will be starting from scratch.

Even Raya isn’t yet confirmed to be joining permanently, though that’s reportedly only a matter of time.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, and David Raya of Arsenal embrace at full-time after victory in the penalty shoot out following the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between Arsenal FC and FC Porto at Emirates Stadium on March 12, 2024. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Hein had competed with Arthur Okonkwo at youth level, but Okonkwo is set to leave this summer after his loan to Wrexham, and McNicholas writes that he’s “already said his farewells”.

Perhaps that could play a role in Hein’s thinking, as Okonkwo’s return would have represented further competition for places.

Instead, the guarantee of at least the third-choice spot at Arsenal is there if Hein wants it. It’s seemingly up to him now.