It's official, Karl Hein has finally earned his promotion to the Arsenal first-team squad.
In truth, this plan of action has been in the works for well over a year now as after the 20-year-old committed his future to the club last summer by signing a new long-term contract he was involved in the 2021/22 senior squad photocall alongside Bernd Leno, Aaron Ramsdale and Arthur Okonkwo,
However, there was no forthcoming announcement regarding a permanent call-up to the first-team squad and Hein was loaned out to Reading during the second half of last season - although that spell was cut short due to an unfortunate injury and the Arsenal youngster has spent the summer returning to full fitness.
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In the process of putting his injury setback behind him, it appeared that Hein's promotion was quietly confirmed upon participating in the club's media day before the new campaign began as well as being handed the number 31 shirt - which was last worn by Sead Kolasinac.
Now it's official. On the club's website, the Estonia international is listed as a first-team player alongside the likes of Ramsdale, Kieran Tierney, William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus, so it's safe to say the cat has been let out of the bag and congratulations are in order for the youngster.
Furthermore, as a result of Hein's promotion, Arteta's mission to have three goalkeepers in his Arsenal squad has now been completed as his previous comments serve as an indicator that he and technical director Edu won't be targeting another signing in this department between now and transfer deadline day.
"If you can financially afford it and we don’t have to do the turnaround in the squad that we’ve had to do, if you ask me what I want it’s 22 outfield players and three goalkeepers," he said. "You have to come a long way in the aspects that you see on the pitch, it’s a lot of things that have to be put in place, and that takes time."
So with Hein moving up, the permanent sale of Leno to Fulham, coupled with Okonkwo and Alex Runarsson being loaned out to Crewe Alexandra and Alanyaspor respectively as well as Arsenal signing Matt Turner to challenge Ramsdale, Arteta has his wish of three senior goalkeepers at his disposal for the season.
Although, as things stand, the number of outfield players in the squad is 23. Naturally, that would suggest that the Spaniard is one deal - an outgoing - away from having his ideal squad size, but with Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles both likely to leave before Thursday's 11pm deadline, that may hint at one more incoming.
Whether that be a central midfield signing or a deal for a winger amid links to the likes of Youri Tielemans, Danilo, Pedro Neto, Cody Gakpo, Wilfried Zaha or Mykhaylo Mudryk remains to be seen, but time is running out for the north London outfit to finalise their business this summer.
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