Arsenal new-boy Matt Turner has been told he should consider leaving the Gunners despite the fact he only touched down in north London in the summer.
The USA international goalkeeper has been told by his fellow countryman and former Tottenham shot-stopper Brad Friedel that he is "too good" to serve as Aaron Ramsdale's deputy. Turner joined the Gunners from MLS outfit New England Revolution in a deal that cost Arsenal £7.5million.
He has only featured four times for the club since arriving, with all of those apperances coming in the Europa League group stage. Turner has, for the most part, looked assured in each and has conceded just once, with that goal coming from the penalty spot away at FC Zurich.
Despite this, there has been little indication that Turner will dislodge Ramsdale anytime soon. In fact, the England international actually returned for Arsenal's most recent Europa League clash away at PSV Eindhoven.
The Qatar World Cup is now just weeks away and Turner is likely to have viewed his move to Arsenal as the perfect opportunity to stake his claim as the USA's number one. With Zach Steffen, currently on loan at Middlesbrough from Manchester City, breathing down his neck for that role, Friedel feels Turner may regret his Gunners switch.
"Time will tell if it’s the right decision,’ the ex-Liverpool star told Fair Betting Sites. "When you’re in the MLS, this is what I’ll say – it’s hard to turn down a club like Arsenal coming in for you.
"But when you move and you’re as good as Matt Turner, I’d like to think that you would move and you’re being told that you were gonna be the number one which obviously wasn’t the case at Arsenal.
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"Matt’s a heck of a nice guy and a heck of a good goalkeeper. I personally think he’s too good of a goalkeeper to be sitting on the bench. I don’t know what kind of deal they have with Arsenal or what, but I hope if he’s not in the team, or doesn’t look like he’s gonna get near the team, then they would allow him to leave or go on loan."
It remains to be seen whether Turner will be recalled for Arsenal's next Europa League contest at home to FC Zurich on Thursday night.
The Gunners know a win would seal their status as group winners and ensure they avoid playing the extra two games at the round of 32 stage of the competition. And With Ramsdale guilty of some shoddy goalkeeping against PSV last week, Arteta may entrust Turner to try and get the Gunners over the line and safely though to the last 16.
