Brad Friedel has said that Matt Turner is too good for the Arsenal bench, claiming that the USMNT star is capable of being a starter for a Premier League club in the wake of impressive World Cup performances.
Turner, 28, kept two clean sheets in the tournament as he featured in all four of his side's matches as they reached the last-16 in Qatar following an eight year absence on the global stage. He did not concede a goal from open play during the group stage and will have earned admiring glances from the world of football.
The goalkeeper has made four appearances for the Gunners so far this season, impressing when called upon in Arsenal's Europa League campaign. However, with his enhanced status, Brad Friedel has suggested that sitting on Arsenal's bench following the World Cup could be a waste of his talent ahead of a home tournament in 2026.
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Speaking to Online Casino, Friedel compared Turner to Christian Pulisic who is having a similar problem with Chelsea, saying: "If Chelsea aren’t choosing Christian Pulisic, then I think he should move elsewhere because he’s good enough to play somewhere.
"I think the same of Matt Turner, he should not be sitting on Arsenal’s bench although I’m not saying Mikel Arteta should start him ahead of Aaron Ramsdale who’s started well. I’m just saying he’s too good not to play football so he should find another club somewhere.
"I’ve been impressed with Matt Turner. I thought in the first game he’d be nervous at his first World Cup, but I thought he was superb against England and on Tuesday [vs Iran] he was unflappable.
"I think clubs have been taking the standard of the MLS more seriously for a while now. I would rather Turner had moved to a club where he was going to be number one because he’s good enough to be number one at a top club. If he doesn’t get his chance at Arsenal, who are top of the table with Aaron Ramsdale playing well, then he should go somewhere else to be number one.
"He’s good enough to be number one at a Premier League club."
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