Matt Turner is a player at a club he has supported and is somewhat living a dream whilst at Arsenal. Yet, he’s worked extremely hard and earned his spot challenging Aaron Ramsdale for the No. 1 jersey at the Emirates Stadium and his performances at the 2022 World Cup have done nothing but further vindicate the club’s decision to sign him.
Of the 10 Gunners' players at the tournament, Turner is one of the leading names, alongside Bukayo Saka, representing Arsenal. He has let in just one goal in the three group games, a Gareth Bale penalty, and kept two clean sheets against England and Iran to help the USMNT make the last 16.
His first showings in an Arsenal shirt worried the fans, and many unfairly allowed the friendly against Nürnberg in July to completely define in their minds the keeper the Gunners had signed. Gradually he has shown his true qualities, however, and in his last two games against Bodo/Glimt he put in two strong performances before suffering a minor injury.
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Whilst Ramsdale has sat on the bench for England, perhaps unjustly it has to be said, Turner has continued for USA head coach Gregg Berhalter. It has even been evident that his work with Arsenal is developing his game on the international level.
Against England, he dribbled the ball out of the box before spraying a long pass into midfield. He told the media after the game: “I touched into my inner Jorge Campos.”
Tyler Adams, however, wasn’t too pleased. "Scared me a couple times, man. I don't want to see him playing out of the back like that. I know he plays for Arsenal, but c'mon," he said.
The expectation for a goalkeeper at Arsenal is that you become an 11th outfield player for the team. Whilst Adams may not like it, and perhaps why Arsenal opted against signing the former RB Leipzig midfielder, the progression from the No. 1 is important in modern build-up play.
Edu and Arteta are certainly seeing vindication for their decision to sign Turner. He has a great relationship with players in the group and understands his place and does not take it for granted.
football.london spoke to Turner after the 2-0 win over Bodo/Glimt at the Emirates. When asked if his European starting spot was guaranteed for the knockout rounds should the Gunners make it, the American revealed this certainly wasn't the case.
“There’s no guarantees in this sport,” Turner said. “No guarantees.
“I’m going to take my games one at a time. Whenever I step out onto the pitch, I’m going to give it my all, like I always do. Hopefully, that results in more consistent playing time.”
People will talk of Kylian Mbappe, Saka, Marcus Rashford and Enner Valencia, but the star of the group stage has to involve Turner in the conversation. His goalkeeping, distribution and confidence between the sticks had a huge bearing on the USA's progression to the last-16 and a strong test of their credentials to come against the Netherlands.
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