Arsenal youngster refusing to give up first-team battle
When Arthur Okonkwo signed a new three-year deal at the Emirates Stadium last month, it was made clear by the club that he would take the position of a number three goalkeeper.
However, a month on, another Hale End academy product looks to have overtaken him in the pecking order. He goes by the name of Karl Hein.
The 19-year-old had a more confident demenour when manager Mikel Arteta gave him minutes in pre-season in Scotland. That is vastly due to the fact that Hein is already a full international, having made eight appearances for the Estonia national team.
On the other hand, Okonkwo was at mistake for the first goal conceded by Arteta’s men in the very first game of pre-season against Hibernian. He also looked shaky overall and not ready for the jump up in the first team picture.
18-year-old Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein kept a clean sheet in a Nations League match with Estonia today against Georgia.
His first competitive clean sheet in a senior international fixture. pic.twitter.com/QJChOl5u8Q
— Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) November 18, 2020
The fight for the first team’s third keeper looks good and it is still unknown that who will ultimately establish that place. A very good problem to have on ones hands.
But what everybody knows is that Arsenal need to bring in a back-up goalkeeper to Bernd Leno.
After the shocking display at Brentford Community Stadium on Friday, if Arsenal acquire the services of any goalkeeper who has good amount of experience or potential, it won’t be surprising if he replaces the German altogether.
The 29-year-old’s distribution have been called out several times since his move from Germany in 2018, and one thing (reflexes) which he was good at, does not stand out anymore.
While Estonia might not be a big footballing nation, it is always impressive when you play on national level at the age of 18.
Therefore Hein should be given more chances.
I believe Casillas won the Champions League final with Real Madrid aged 19 and Donnarumma played for Italy against France at 17 having played in Serie A when 16.
By the look of it, Hein looks a better keeper. However Onana or Sam Johnstone must be signed asap. Even Freddy Woodman of Newcastle is available but time is running out. Hope MA and Edu act fast.
Karl Hein is clearly a more confident character than Okonkwo, but from all we have heard from Arsenal, they rate Okonkwo more highly, (of course they do, this being Arsenal), and would have been dismayed at his error-strewn nervy performance at His.