Arsenal keeper was 'starstruck' seeing Rooney but was then sent off for wiping him out

Turner, who joined the Gunners in the summer, was at MLS side New England Revolution when he came up against Rooney, who was playing for DC United.

Advertisement

The American revealed seeing Rooney down the tunnel left him in awe, however, he got even closer to him during the match, which resulted in Turner being sent off in May 2019.

As Rooney chased a long ball, Turner mistimed any attempt to get there first as he poleaxed his opponent, leaving the referee no choice but to send the keeper off.

Rooney later revealed he felt like he had 'been in a car crash' after the collision but thankfully got up in one piece.

Advertisement

Recounting meeting Rooney, Turner told Arsenal's club media: "The first time I was starstruck was probably when I was in MLS and we were going up against DC United and Wayne Rooney.

"It was the first time I played him and I ended up like smashing him and getting a red card.

"Kind of a disaster but that was definitely the first time kind of going into the locker room thinking to myself 'I can't believe I've just done that.'"

Advertisement

Advertisement

Host Frimmy revealed he got so starstruck when seeing Arsenal legend Thierry Henry he was to shy to ask him for a picture.

Turner added: "I played against him a few times when he was the manager at Montreal. That was pretty cool as well.

"But that was after imprinting my knee on Wayne Rooney's chest."

Advertisement

There aren't any stars of Rooney's calibre in the Norwegian outfit's squad, and Arsenal fans will be hoping their player won't clean any of the Bodo/Glimt players out on the artificial pitch.

Catch all the latest updates from Bodo/Glimt vs Arsenal on our live blog as well.