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Ramsdale told to prepare to be "pushed" as Arsenal No.1 spot is under threat

mirror.co.uk, 18 February 2022, 05:00
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has been warned that he needs to prepare to be "pushed" by incoming shot-stopper Matt Turner - who has designs on a starting berth

Arsenal new boy Matt Turner has fired a warning to Aaron Ramsdale - with the American shot-stopper insisting that he's coming to "push" the Gunners man for the No 1 spot.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper is set to join the Londoners in the summer after a £7.5million deal was struck with MLS side New England Revolution in January.

Turner's arrival should pave the way for Bernd Leno to finally quit the club after he was nudged out of the team by Ramsdale back in August.

Ramsdale hasn't looked back since he was given his chance to pinch the first-choice spot from the German - with the former Sheffield United man producing a string of stunning performances to win over the Gunners faithful.

But Turner has warned Ramsdale that he has designs on nabbing the coveted No 1 jersey himself.

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And he's pointed to his previous experience with the United States national team as evidence that he has what it takes to stun the England ace and pinch his spot in the team.

"When I got my first chance with the national team, it was only as a No. 3," Turner said.

"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."

Despite starting off as a back-up, Turner has nudged ahead of Manchester City ace Zack Steffen in the national rankings to become the United State's first-choice goalkeeper.

Turner, who has clocked up 16 caps for the USA, has also opened up on his knowledge of the Gunners ahead of his impending switch; including the unusual reason that he's familiar with the Londoners.

And he also outlined his determination to make the most of his dream by becoming a household name at one of the "most recognisable" teams in the world.

"Both of my older sisters, they played for a club called the Pascack Arsenal," he added.

"And when I was getting into soccer after the 2010 World Cup, when I'm on FIFA, I'm looking at the first team in the Premier League is Arsenal, and I said, 'Oh, that kind of makes sense.

"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.

"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."

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