Shaka Hislop has been told that Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner could break into the first team soon.
Hislop was speaking on The Highbury Squad and discussing Arsenal’s new goalkeeper.
Turner arrived at the start of the summer from New England Revolution for £5.7m.
Arsenal allowed former second-choice goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson to leave on loan to Turkish side Alanyaspor after Turner’s arrival.
Turner has already made his Arsenal debut, and appears to be Mikel Arteta’s chosen cup goalkeeper.
He’s already kept three clean sheets in the Europa League, and has yet to concede from open play.
Hislop has been told that Turner’s previous goalkeeping coach believes he could break into Arsenal’s first team.
He’s up against Aaron Ramsdale, who has played well enough this season for Arsenal to consider offering him a new contract.
Arteta would be a very brave man to switch his goalkeepers at this stage of the season, especially sitting top of the league.
Turner could break into Arsenal’s first team
Hislop was speaking to Kevin Campbell about the American goalkeeper and said: “Matt Turner is an incredibly talented goalkeeper, he really is.
“Kevin Hitchcock, his goalkeeping coach at New England Revolution, rated him very, very highly.
“He was telling Craig (Burley) that he thought Matt could go and unseat Aaron Ramsdale for the starting position.
“Now, I didn’t see that myself just because of how good Ramsdale has been for Arsenal.
“But that speaks to how highly he is thought of by someone who knows the English game and who knows goalkeeping.
“He’s talented, but it was always going to be a very hard ask, given how good Ramsdale has been for Arsenal.
“As number twos go, I stand by my initial assessment that Matt is an incredible talented goalkeeper, he just needs a little bit of time.”
The England international isn’t the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, but has steadily improved in his time at The Emirates.
Ramsdale admitted himself after the Leeds game that his passing wasn’t up to scratch.
However, Granit Xhaka had to tell Turner to calm down against Bodo/Glimt as his distribution was also erratic.
It’s a positive sign for Arsenal that they have such a highly-rated back-up to Ramsdale.
However, Arteta has made a point of not rotating his side unless absolutely necessary in the league.
It would be a surprise if Turner did break into Arsenal’s first team any time soon.