Karl Hein is a member of a pretty unique club. Aged just 18, he was yet to make a senior club appearance when he was handed his full international debut in Estonia’s 1-0 UEFA Nations League defeat to Georgia.
As is to be expected from the calm yet fiercely determined goalkeeper, Karl took the experience fully in his stride – and, under the guidance of former Gunner Mart Poom, the 6ft 4in 20-year-old has made his country’s No1 shirt very much his own since.
Karl has developed serenely at club level too and was rewarded with an Arsenal debut in the recent Carabao Cup tie against Brighton & Hove Albion, before keeping a clean sheet in our Dubai Super Cup win over Lyon – making four penalty saves in the post-match shootout.
"Saving four of the penalties in the shootout was a record for me – it’s not something I’ve done before," he said. "In that situation it’s just about getting the right feeling, seeing what the opponent might do and trying to react as quickly as possible.
"I want to finish the season well. We’ve got a lot we’re aiming for in the Premier League, Europa League and the FA Cup. I want to help us to get all of those trophies and smash the second half of the season."
You can hear much more from our shot-stopper about his career to date and his journey to our first-team with our Close Up feature - just press play on the video above.
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