Mikel Arteta has insisted that new debutant Karl Hein deserved to start for Arsenal in their Carabao Cup tie with Brighton and claimed that he would be ready to pick him again despite his poor display – in comments reported by Football London.
The Gunners were knocked out of the competition at the Emirates. Arsenal took the lead through Eddie Nketiah. However, Brighton were able to turn the game around and win 3-1.
And Hein will be disappointed for at least two of the goals. The Estonia international was making his debut for Arsenal against the Seagulls.
Hein deserved to start
Unfortunately, he gave away a penalty. And he seemed to be slow off his line for the visitors’ third goal of the night.
The 20-year-old will be extremely frustrated with his showing given that it was his debut. However, Arteta has insisted that he continues to have the utmost faith in the youngster despite his difficult night.
“I think he deserves the chance. He’s the first goalie of the national team and at his age that’s not usual. He totally deserved his chance,” he said, as reported by Football London.
“If I have to play him tomorrow again I would. You get experience when you play football matches and if not you never get the experience, but Karl already has that. Errors are part of football.”
It is now going to be difficult for Hein to get back into the side. Obviously, Aaron Ramsdale is the clear first-choice after an amazing start to life at the Emirates.
Meanwhile, Matt Turner is a very good backup. And with that, Hein needs to take the opportunities that come his way unless he is going to leave on loan.
With Arsenal now out of the Carabao Cup, it may be a quiet spell ahead for the youngster. Perhaps the FA Cup will present further opportunities in the months ahead.
But Hein will unfortunately be left kicking himself that he did not make the most of his chance.
Clearly however, Arteta sees Hein bouncing back and silencing his doubters in the future at the Emirates.
