Matt Turner has told ESPN that he will not just be joining Arsenal to pick up a wage, when he arrives at The Emirates at the end of the season. The USA international is hell-bent on improving, and challenging Aaron Ramsdale.
Turner, 27, has joined Arsenal for a fee believed to be in the region of £7.5million (Sun). The New England Revolution stopper will link up with his new club in the summer, halfway through his current side’s 2022 campaign.
That might be largely down to Bernd Leno remaining at Arsenal in January – though he will enter the last 12 months of his contract this summer. He is expected to go, and has been told he will have ‘permission’ to leave.
Turner, who is battling Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen for a place between the sticks as USA’s no.1, says he is not only turning up at Arsenal to be second choice. He wants to push Ramsdale and improve himself.
“I’m not going over there just to collect a check and ride off into the sunset. I’m going to push myself and [Ramsdale] and continue to help him get better and help myself get better,” Turner said, as per ESPN.
Turner on Ramsdale: Should Arsenal no.1 be concerned?
Right now, Ramsdale is seriously pushing Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for a place as England’s starting goalkeeper. Long has been the concern for Gareth Southgate, that he wanted a ball-playing goalkeeper.
Pickford has always been the best option despite some shaky Everton form. Now, the ex-Sunderland man has serious competition in the form of Ramsdale. He has been excellent for Arsenal since joining last summer.
Initially, he will have nothing to worry about. But if Arsenal qualify for Europe, whichever competition that is, Turner will get game time and at least has a stage in which he can show himself.
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