Arsenal have several top young talents coming through the Hale End Academy right now, but they need to be playing regularly.
Some Arsenal fans are concerned at the lack of pathway for Academy talents, and with Chido Obi-Martin leaving to join Manchester United, there is now a lot of scrutiny over the best young players at the club, and how they are being used.
Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are two of the best talents, and both have impressed in pre-season so far, and Nwaneri now has the chance to break into the first team, in what could be a campaign reminiscent of when a teenage Cesc Fabregas made himself undroppable for Arsene Wenger.
However, for a lot of other talents at the club, loan moves are necessary to ensure that they are playing regularly to aid their development, and one player is now on the verge of completing a move.
Karl Hein to leave Arsenal on loan as Charlton close to deal
Goalkeeper Karl Hein featured heavily in pre-season as both David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale were absent, and whilst he impressed with his shot-stopping, it was clear that he needed to work on his game when it comes to distribution.
Hein is now set to join League One side Charlton Athletic on loan, with London News Online reporting that a deal is near completion.
“Charlton Athletic are set to sign Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein on loan,” they revealed.
“Estonian international stopper Hein had also been mooted as a potential target for Barnsley.”
Hein was targeted after Charlton could not agree a deal for Asmir Begovic, who recently claimed that Aaron Ramsdale should depart Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta has clear plan for Karl Hein at Arsenal
Hein spent last season as Arsenal’s third-choice goalkeeper, but the Estonia International needs to play regularly.
Arthur Okonkwo was granted a loan move to Wrexham, but Hein signed a new contract in the summer on the basis that this season, he would be granted a similar move to play regularly.
Mikel Arteta is now prepared to let Hein leave, and young goalkeeper Tommy Setford, who joined from Ajax earlier in the window, will likely replace him as the emergency backup, whilst also playing in the academy.
This is a clear plan to ensure that Hein can gain regular experience, whilst Arsenal are not harmed should they face a goalkeeping crisis.
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