Karl Hein had expressed a desire to go out on loan for first-team experience this season, but Arsenal want him to stay until the summer.

The Athletic report that Arsenal third-choice goalkeeper Karl Hein had expressed a desire to go out on loan ahead of the January transfer window, to gain more senior experience.

But Arsenal’s current position is that Hein has to stay as cover, and part of the reason they gave him a competitive debut in November was to show he’s a valued part of the squad.

However, The Athletic add that Arsenal’s stance may still soften towards the end of the window, so that’s something to keep an eye on.

Speaking to the Arsenal website recently, Hein suggested he’s ready to help the team in the remainder of the campaign.

“I want to finish the season well,” Hein said. “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.”

Hein made a real impression on the supporters in Arsenal’s mid-season break friendlies, helping the Gunners to two penalty shootout wins over Lyon and AC Milan as they won the Dubai Super Cup.

The goalkeeper dropped out of the side once Matt Turner and Aaron Ramsdale returned, as the two World Cup internationals needed to get back up to speed too. But he’s shown he’s capable of stepping in when called upon.

With Arsenal top of the Premier League and into the Europa League Round of 16, and with the FA Cup set to kick off in a little over a week, Mikel Arteta will want to have options like Hein around just in case.