Ex-Arsenal keeper gives verdict on Aaron Ramsdale vs David Raya battle

23 September 2023 , 06:00

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David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale are battling for Arsenal's No.1 shirt (Image: Getty Images)

Matt Turner says there is much ado about nothing over Arsenal ’s goalkeeping situation.

The American called time on his career at the Emirates after the North Londoners accepted a £10m offer for him this summer. But he says that the current controversy over the No.1 position that has seen Aaron Ramsdale pitted against new signing David Raya is not uncommon.

He said: “If you think about it, there were two senior goalkeepers going for the same spot last season. Maybe I wasn’t the perfect style for the one they wanted - that I wasn’t what they were looking for in certain games. You have to have a degree of self-awareness. Aaron Ramsdale was voted into the PFA team of the year. I felt like I was pushing him into those areas. I have no regrets.

“He was the No.1. Arsenal were at the top of the table for the majority of last season. And you’re not going to change your goalkeeper. You rarely see that. He was fit. Never missed a training session. He did everything right. Maybe there’s a bit of disappointment because I didn’t help the team as much as I thought I could but I really gave it a go.

“My performances in the cup, in the Europa League with the national team got me this opportunity at Forest. I’m so grateful for it. But I wasn’t really aware of how it was going to go over there. We’ll all have to see what happens. I’ll be very curious to see how it works out.”

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