Matt Turner - Player Profile | What can the New Signing Bring to Arsenal?

Arsenal announced Matt Turner as their first signing of the 2022-23 transfer window. The American signed for the Gunners on a three-year contract from MLS outfit New England Revolution. The club reportedly paid a fee of around £7.5 million for the 28-year-old.

Matt Turner, Arsenal — Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Player Profile:

Matt Turner signed a professional contract for New England Revolution in 2016. The American was sent out on a loan to second division side Richmond Kickers. In 7 appearances, Turner registered 4 clean sheets and conceded just 3 goals (stats via transfermarkt).

The American had a second loan stint with the Kickers in 2017. This time, he managed 20 appearances, keeping 3 clean sheets and shipping 24 goals. Richmond Kickers finished 14^th out of 15 teams in the Eastern Conference in 2017.

Matt Turner Goals Conceded vs Saves Plot (Stats Via fbref.com)

The USMNT shot-stopper earned the starting role at New England Revolution in 2018. Since then, the keepr has played 111 games, conceding 146 goals (stats via transfermarkt). Across 5 seasons in the MLS, Turner has an impressive save percentage of 72.6. He was named the Goalkeeper of the Year in 2021. He also made the MLS Best XI for the year.

International Career:

Matt Turner made his international debut in a friendly game against Trinidad & Tobago. The 28-year-old saved a penalty en route to keep an impressive clean sheet that game.

He started all 6 games as the United States won the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Turner saved 22 of the 23 shots he faced, keeping an impressive 5 clean sheets in the process. He also saved 1 of the 2 penalties he faced. For his efforts, he was awarded the Best Goalkeeper Award.

Apart from the Gold Cup, the American has 11 international appearances. This includes 3 friendly games and 8 World Cup Qualifier appearances. Turner has a total of 7 clean sheets in these 11 games.

Turner’s Role At Arsenal:

Matt Turner has been signed as a deputy keeper for Arsenal. The Gunners just signed Aaron Ramsdale last season, and the Englishman has consolidated his place as the starter. Ramsdale’s shot-stopping, distribution and proactiveness have all been crucial to manager Mikel Arteta’s system.

Arsenal also have Bernd Leno as a backup. The German, however, seems set to depart this summer. Leno was a reliable starter for Arsenal between 2018 and 2021. The former Bayer Leverkusen man can easily be a starter for many Premier League-level clubs if he decides to leave the Emirates. Newly-promoted Fulham are interested in signing the 30-year-old as per reports.

Matt Turner is a good profile for Arteta’s system. Not only is the American a good shot-stopper, but he also offers an alert and active presence behind the last line of defence. Over the last 3 years, Turner has actually been a better shot-stopper than Ramsdale. The American also averages a long pass completion rate of 50% over the same period of time, compared to Ramsdale’s 37.9%.

Matt Turner is a fantastic budget signing for Arsenal. The American is a tidy keeper with a good passing range too. The American could well be challenging Aaron Ramsdale for the starting spot this season, rather than being content with a backup role.

Turner is in contention to become United States’ starting goalie for the 2022 World Cup this December. He will look to have a good run of games in the build-up to the tournament if he wishes to start over Zack Steffen. Ramsdale too is contesting for a starting role in the England national team with Everton’s Jordan Pickford.

Could Matt Turner Be Arsenal’s #1 Next Season?

England and USA have both been drawn into the same group for the World Cup. In the buildup to the tournament, we could witness an interesting competition for the role of starting goalie between the respective keepers of each nation at Arsenal too.

What do you think of Matt Turner? Is he a good signing for Arsenal? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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