Matt Turner insists he isn’t going to settle for being second choice at Arsenal when he joins in the summer, with hopes of pushing fellow glovesman Aaron Ramsdale to keep improving.
The United States international is expected to join from MLS team New England Revolution for roughly £5million, with the Gunners looking to confirm the deal in June when Turner flies over to complete a medical thus making him the club's first signing of the summer transfer window.
The 27-year-old’s expected signing means that reports of current backup goalkeeper Bernd Leno leaving at the end of the season look more likely, amid claims the German wants more first-team football.
His lack of minutes have only come as a result of summer signing Ramsdale’s great form since joining the Sheffield United.
The 23-year-old England international has firmly put his stamp on a first-team shirt following his £25million move from the Blades.
That won’t put down new signing Turner though, who claims he will push Ramsdale and himself to get better and better.
The goalkeeper said, via the Evening Standard: “When I got my first chance with the national team, it was only as a No. 3.
“No one ever really took me seriously, so I’m not going over there just to collect a cheque and ride off into the sunset.
“I’m going to push myself, I’m going to push Aaron [Ramsdale] and continue to help him get better and help myself get better.
“You dream. You don’t really see a clear path of how it’s going to happen, but you just trust the work and trust your dream every single day, and continue to work hard, be self-aware, know what you need to work on, and listen to your coaches around you.
“I understand that it’s really challenging to get your foot in the door, so it’s really hard to say no to not only the chance to go fulfill a dream, but also to go challenge myself at the highest level and play for one of the biggest, most recognisable brands in the world in Arsenal.”
The new goalkeeper will have his work cut out for him if Ramsdale continues in the form he has shown so far this season.
However, if he continues to raise the standards and pushes his teammate to the next level or even surpasses him, then Arsenal will have no problem with the gloves in the future.
