It is important not to get too analytical over what has been just one display from Matt Turner and stress that the summer signing will be given plenty more chances to show his quality. The Arsenal goalkeeper made his first competitive start for the club in the 2-1 win away at FC Zurich.
He conceded from a penalty after Eddie Nketiah gave away the spot kick. The Arsenal deputy dove the wrong direction as Mirlind Kryeziu equalised for the struggling Swiss side.
Turner had a couple of nervy moments in addition to this. A poor back pass from Gabriel Magalhaes put the American under pressure and his weak-footed pass was immediately intercepted but thankfully the resulting chance was wasted.
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Corners and crosses seemed to catch Turner in two minds. Sometimes coming out and not claiming or looking like he could charge before changing his mind.
This is just one game, and it is important to stress that making your debut is a nerve-racking moment. However, with Aaron Ramsdale going down at Aston Villa with a minor muscle concern meaning he missed training for a couple of days, the likelihood Turner might be needed for Premier League duties is certainly there.
Should Turner fail to impress, Mikel Arteta has already sent a warning to all his players that the club are willing to make mid-season moves for the benefit of the club. Having signed Alex Runarsson in the summer of 2020, the Iceland international struggled and was at fault for goals against both Dundalk in the Europa League and Manchester City in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.
The club brought in Mat Ryan on loan from Brighton the following January who displaced the former Dijon stopper. Runarsson has since left the club on back-to-back loan spells to Belgium and Turkey.
There looks to be little sign of a future for him at the club, especially after Turner’s arrival. Even after such a short time, Mikel Arteta made up his mind and Ramsdale came in during the summer of 2021 with Bernd Leno becoming the number two.
With five more Europa League group stage games and the Carabao Cup third round match with Brighton to come, there are six opportunities, barring injury, to convince both the manager and fans that Arsenal have a sufficient number 2. Fail, and the signs are there he will not be given an extended period to prove himself.
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