Arsenal star tipped to leave in January - Arteta to brace for exit

Arsenal’s backup keeper Matt Turner has been tipped to leave Arsenal in January to pursue first-team opportunities.

The United States international, who grew up an Arsenal fan, joined Mikel Arteta’s side in the summer following a January transfer from MLS side New England Revolution.

Turner was brought in as the understudy to England’s Aaron Ramsdale, and so far is yet to have made a Premier League appearance.

However, the 28-year-old has started four Europa League ties for the Gunners while he is likely to be handed another start in the club’s EFL Cup fixture against Brighton later this month.

Former Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel has labelled the Arsenal shot-stopper “too good” to remain a backup at the Emirates while Express.co.uk have claimed Arteta may have to brace for his exit.

Friedel insisted Turner should secure a January move away from Arsenal, either on loan or a permanent deal.

The retired shot-stopper told FairBettingSites: “Time will tell if it’s the right decision [for Turner to move to Arsenal].

“When you’re in the MLS, this is what I’ll say – it’s hard to turn down a club like Arsenal coming in for you, but when you move and you’re as good as Matt Turner, I’d like to think that you would move and you’re being told that you were gonna be the number one which obviously wasn’t the case at Arsenal.

“Matt’s a heck of a nice guy and a heck of a good goalkeeper.

“I don’t know what kind of deal they have with Arsenal or what, but I hope if he’s not in the team, or doesn’t look like he’s gonna get near the team, then they would allow him to leave or go on loan.

“I personally think he’s too good of a goalkeeper to be sitting on the bench.”

While Turner has so far impressed in his four Arsenal appearances, there have been concerns raised about the US international's distribution - an area Turner is attempting to improve.

Speaking to CBS Sport he said: “If you watch me last year, two years ago, you'd say I have improved. Obviously, there's a learning curve.

"Things happen faster here, players are better, smarter and press with more intensity. There definitely was a curve but it's an area I'm always improving on, always working on, always striving to get better and better.

"As a goalkeeper, you don't want to take risks but the way we play, that's the way it goes. The position has evolved. I'm the type of person that has always tried to adapt and improve my game.”