Unconvincing moments during pre-season and Arsenal’s opening Europa League match versus FC Zurich left fans concerned that Matt Turner was not good enough to be backup to Aaron Ramsdale, but as each week passes by, we’re starting to see what he’s capable of.
Despite gaining valuable experience at club and international level, as well as being named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2021, the step up to English football was always going to be challenging for the 28-year-old. The transition meant Turner has had to adapt his game to Mikel Arteta’s fast-paced possession-based style of play, which includes playing out from the back, something that isn’t - or at least wasn’t - one of his strongest qualities.
Although it was a shaky start for Turner initially, the hard work in training and run of games in the Europa League is starting to pay off. This has been noticeable over the last two weeks, in particular, with his Man of the Match performance away to Bodo/Glimt leaving many impressed.
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Turner was kept busy and looked composed throughout, playing a number of accurate short and long balls out from his box, as well as commanding his area well and making a vital save in the second half. “He’s improving, he’s getting better, we are demanding things that are different to what other managers have demanded him to do,” Arteta said.
A slightly tougher test awaits him at the Emirates Stadium tonight, however, as PSV arrive with several dangerous talents including an in-form Cody Gakpo who already has 13 goals and 11 assists to his name this season.
The American is likely to make his fourth consecutive Europa League start and will be hoping to put on another solid display amid concerns that a lack of game time could impact his chances with the USMNT at the World Cup. Speaking at Wednesday’s press conference, Turner was not worried about the risks that come with being the No.2 and said that he would respect the manager’s decision.
“Listen, I'm just focused on what I can control, and what I have before me is opportunities to play in Europe,” he said. “For me playing to the best of my abilities and letting my body of work over the past 18 months speak for itself. I've played 20 games in the national team over the past few years, and I think I'm in a good position to play at the World Cup.
“At the end of the day, though, like with Arsenal, if Greg decides Zack (Steffen) is the way forward or Ethan (Horvath) or Sean (Johnson), and he feels that's the best way to get results, I stand behind the decisions that he makes, and I support him as a manager, and I'll play to the best of my abilities to try and win.”
Turner was then asked if USMNT boss Greg Berhalter has any reservations about his role at Arsenal, to which he replied: “I don't think so. When I was playing week in week out at the MLS, it didn't impact my playing time. I was benched for one game in World Cup qualifying, and the message was that playing week-in-week-out in the MLS wasn't enough, so I'm out here chasing whatever more is.
“I'm training at a really high level, challenging, and playing under a really good coach who believes in me, and that feels really nice. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and like I say, I'm an open book for you guys, so I'm really going for it.”
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