Herculez Gomez has claimed that Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner has seen his ‘stock go up’ whilst on international duty with the USA, as he told ESPN.
Despite the United States suffering a friendly defeat to Japan, Gomez thinks Arsenal’s £8 million summer signing (Evening Standard) showed that ‘he will be your guy’ when his team are under ‘constant pressure’.
Turner was brought to north London by Mikel Arteta to provide cover for Aaron Ramsdale, who has become one of his side’s most important players ever since his arrival last summer.
Even if Arsenal’s new boy impresses when he is handed the chance, there’s no way he will be pushing ahead of Ramsdale.
But the 28-year-old, just before the international break, was handed his Arsenal debut in the Europa League as the Gunners secured a 2-1 win over FC Zurich – their following game against PSV was postponed.
Nonetheless, with Turner earning the much-needed minutes for his country, former USA international Gomez was very impressed with what he saw from the keeper, despite the defeat to Japan.
“His stock is up,” said Gomez. “He is the perfect goalkeeper, if you know that you will be under constant pressure because he’s such a great shot-stopper.
“I don’t think that’s a debate (Turner is the best shot-stopper from USA keepers). Zack Steffen offers you different things.
“If you think you will have the lion’s share of possession and you can play out from the back, that’s when Zack Steffen comes into play.
“But if you feel like you will be under constant pressure, then don’t put anyone else on the field, other than, Matt Turner. He will be your guy.”
CAN TURNER END ARSENAL’S NUMBER TWO NIGHTMARE?
That’s one area Arsenal are trying to sort out, and in truth, it’s not proved to be easy for those at the Emirates.
Yes, the recently-departed Bernd Leno was a back-up option last season, but that’s only after he was dethroned as a number one.
Players who have purposely brought in to be number two and number two only have struggled when handed their chance to play in between the sticks.
Arsenal fans will still have nightmares about Alex Rúnarsson, but this is Turner’s chance to make a name for himself in north London.
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