New Arsenal signing confident he can replace Aaron Ramsdale in goal for Gunners

Posted Saturday, February 19, 2022 by Dailystar.co.uk

American goalkeeper Matt Turner, who will join Arsenal at the end of the season, is adamant he isn't going to settle for life as a back-up and plans to replace Aaron Ramsdale as No 1

Arsenal's latest signing Matt Turner says he's ready to compete with goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for a place in the first-team once he joins up with the squad in the summer.

The American, who signed from New England Revolution last week, insists he isn't coming to Arsenal to simply make up the numbers and expects to give manager Mikel Arteta a selection headache.

The 27-year-old said he was written off as a back up when called up to the US national side last year, but has proved his worth by winning 16 caps already, and is preparing for a similar story when he arrives in the Premier League.

"When I got my first chance with the national team, it was only as a No 3," he said via The Evening Standard.

New Arsenal signing confident he can replace Aaron Ramsdale in goal for Gunners
Matt Turner insists he isn't joining Arsenal to be a back-up (Image: Boston Globe via Getty Images)

"No one ever really took me seriously, so I'm not going over there just to collect a cheque and ride off into the sunset.

"I'm going to push myself, I'm going to push Aaron and continue to help him get better and help myself get better."

In spite of Turner's fierce optimism, Ramsdale has been in fine form this season and has firmly established himself as the Gunners' No 1 goalkeeper ahead of Bernd Leno - who is expected to leave at the end of the season.

New Arsenal signing confident he can replace Aaron Ramsdale in goal for Gunners
Aaron Ramsdale has been in fine form for Arsenal this season and will be difficult to unseat (Image: Getty Images)

He'll be a difficult man to unseat, particularly with a burgeoning England career on the horizon, but Turner remains steadfast in giving the £30 million former Sheffield United man a run for his money.

"You dream. You don't really see a clear path of how it's going to happen, but you just trust the work and trust your dream every single day, and continue to work hard, be self-aware, know what you need to work on, and listen to your coaches around you," Turner added.

"I understand that it's really challenging to get your foot in the door, so it's really hard to say no to not only the chance to go fulfil a dream, but also to go challenge myself at the highest level and play for one of the biggest, most recognisable brands in the world in Arsenal."