Brad Fiedel has urged Matt Turner to leave the north London club in the summer if he continues to remain on the bench.
The shotstopper joined Arsenal from Major League club New England Revolution in the summer of 2022. He has been exclusively used for Cup games this season, making two FA Cup and four Europa League appearances.
The 28-year-old was the United States’ number-one goalkeeper during the World Cup and started every game of their campaign. Their second-choice goalkeeper, Zack Steffen, who was struggling for game time at Manchester City, is now playing week in and week out following a switch to Middlesbrough. This could endanger Turner’s number-one spot with the USMNT.
Although Friedel thinks Arsenal is an incredible club, he believes Turner should find consistent football somewhere. He has urged his countryman to play as many games as possible given that professional players these days have a short career. While speaking to Sporting Post, the retired goalkeeper said:
“Look at Matt’s competition for the national team spot. He was the number one then and he’s gone all this time without playing, but Zack Steffen, who wasn’t getting a game at Manchester City, is now playing well for Middlesbrough. He’s playing every week whilst Matt is on the bench, then you’re looking at another change in who is the number one keeper for the US national team.
“I think that Matt, no matter what, even though Arsenal are an incredible club, has to find consistent football somewhere. This season, fine, but if he’s not going to be the number one he has got to go. The only issue is that he’s on a long contract and if you’re Arsenal, why would you let him go? You’ve got an incredible goalkeeper, an incredible guy, a great worker, you have one of the best number two’s on the planet. I think it’s a tough position.”
Arsenal Fever View:
The American has been an understudy for Ramsdale this season. When the keeper signed for the club he wouldn’t have been under any illusions of starting every week. But when the Gunners come knocking, very few players turn down the opportunity to play for a club of this stature.
Turner had a great World Cup campaign, and it is clear that there is a lot of potential. Although he is not rivaling Ramsdale right now, this could change in the future. Few would have expected the former Bournemouth man to pinch the number-one spot from Bernd Leno following his move in 2021.
It is unlikely that Arsenal would sanction a permanent move for the shotstopper after just a year of signing him. A loan deal seems more sensible for both parties involved.
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