Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar has now confirmed why the club have decided to part ways with Matt Turner, who today joined Nottingham Forest in a permanent deal.
The USMNT goalkeeper joined last year, and made seven appearances as backup to Aaron Ramsdale. There was little expectation that the 29-year-old would depart this summer, but he has now left for a fee potentially reaching £10m, and is in line to make his Premier League debut at the Emirates as Arsenal face Forest on Saturday.
Arsenal are expected to complete the signing of David Raya in the coming days, and Edu has confirmed that Turner’s exit will allow him to play more regularly.
“Matt is an international goalkeeper with the United States and is at a stage of his career when he needs to be playing regularly,” Edu stated.
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“He is leaving with our best wishes to join Nottingham Forest.”
Could Turner have played regularly at Arsenal?
Turner kept four clean sheets, and conceded just four times in his seven appearances for Arsenal, across the FA Cup and Europa League.
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However, it was clear that he was always destined to be the second-choice option, rather than someone who could truly compete with Ramsdale for the number-one spot.
Mikel Arteta chose Ramsdale ahead of Turner for the second leg of Arsenal’s Europa League knockout tie vs Sporting Club De Portugal, and this was perhaps the biggest indication that the manager did not fully trust Turner for big occasions.
Ramsdale was ever-present in the Premier League last season, and given his strong performances for most of the campaign, Turner was highly unlikely to break into the side. Now the USA first-choice goalkeeper, regular minutes was something he could not be given at Arsenal, and a move therefore suits all parties involved.