Matt Turner explains what makes Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale so ‘weird’

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Former Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner has discussed his friendship with Aaron Ramsdale.

Matt Turner and Aaron Ramsdale spent last season battling to be the Arsenal No. 1. This competition was comfortably won by Ramsdale, as the 29-year-old American only managed seven appearances over the course of the campaign.

Despite being stuck behind Ramsdale in the pecking order, Turner struck up a friendship with the 25-year-old England man. In the time he spent working with Ramsdale, Turner also got to know his teammate’s character.

The 33-cap USA international has now provided some insight into what Ramsdale is like as a person.

Speaking on CBS Sports, Turner was asked who the strange ‘keepers he’s encountered are, and said, “Aaron Ramsdale, he’s also bananas, that guy…weird, but I love him. He’s eccentric. He’s got little bits of flair in his game and he’s very opposite from me in that sense, on the field and off the field.”

Ramdale faces test of character

The notion of goalkeepers being eccentric is an old stereotype in football, but seemingly accurate in the case of Ramsdale. Given how closely the pair worked throughout an entire season, Turner is certainly well-placed to provide insight into the £120,000-a-week shot-stopper’s personality.

Having left Arsenal to join Nottingham Forest in a £10 million deal in the recent summer transfer window, Turner is now finally getting the chance to experience being a first choice Premier League goalkeeper.

Meanwhile, Ramsdale has suffered the reverse of this. He has lost his place in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI to David Raya, who arrived at the Emirates Stadium on a season-long loan deal from Brentford in the summer. Arsenal are expected to make the switch permanent for a fee of £27 million.

Having only signed a new long-term contract with the north London club in May 2023, Ramsdale has clearly planned to have a future at Arsenal. He now needs to show his character and fight back to reclaim his status as the first choice between the sticks.