Matt Turner signs + another Lisandro Martinez bid

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Arsenal’s third signing of the summer season was made official yesterday when Matt Turner’s transfer from New England Revolution was confirmed.

Chatting with the official website, Mikel Arteta mentioned:

Matt is an skilled goalkeeper who will convey top quality to our squad. He has proven along with his performances lately in each the MLS and at worldwide stage with america that he’s a goalkeeper who will give us added power going into subsequent season. We welcome Matt and his household to the membership and we sit up for working collectively within the years to return.

With all due respect to him, 28 yr outdated back-up keeper isn’t fairly as thrilling as a striker or a winger, but it surely’s nonetheless an necessary function within the squad. Bernd Leno is predicted to depart this summer season, fairly the place but we don’t know – and the rumours involving Fulham appear to have gone a bit quiet. So, whereas Matt Turner will begin the season as deputy to Aaron Ramsdale, it solely takes an harm for him to be thrust into the highlight and given severe duty on this group.

While you come to the Premier League at his age from MLS, there’s at all times going to be a measure of doubt because it’s a path not notably nicely trodden. Nonetheless, having fought his manner up to now, he looks like a man who rises to a problem, and you need to think about that having dropped the ball considerably over the signing of Alex Runarsson, we’ve carried out higher due diligence on the USA worldwide.

Curiously, he’s already been in contact with Aaron Ramsdale, telling the official site:

Yeah he and I’ve been involved. He checked in on me, be certain I’m settling in nicely. He looks like a terrific man, I’m wanting ahead to not solely attending to know him, however making him a greater goalkeeper and to pushing him to be his finest.

He’s additionally an Arsenal fan and remembers:

Clearly there’s some enjoyable years with Olivier Giroud bagging targets, he was at all times enjoyable to observe, my sister had an enormous crush on him so it was fairly humorous, he’s a good-looking man.

I’ll clearly wait to see how he does for us when he performs, however he’s already bought a tick within the ‘This man appears all proper’ column for an out of left-field HFB reference. The truth that he’s an Arsenal fan isn’t actually related within the grand scheme of issues, however what a dream it have to be for him to reach at this membership at this second in time when there seems to be one thing fairly thrilling occurring.

Better of luck to him.

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Elsewhere, as we await the following replace on an thrilling Brazilian, there’s speak of another bid for Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez. I’ve to say I discover this one fairly attention-grabbing, as a result of I battle with the concept of a 5’9 central defender within the Premier League. It’s not that it will possibly’t occur, but it surely actually is the exception quite than the rule, and most frequently that participant is a part of a again three quite than a central defensive pairing.

I suppose Gabriel is first alternative in that place, and Martinez might present some depth as and when required – occurring the belief that Pablo Mari will transfer on throughout this window. It’s additionally price remembering that, because it stands with the present make-up of the squad, each William Saliba and Rob Holding are able to taking part in in that place too, and Takehiro Tomiyasu performs there commonly for Japan. Whether or not each Holding and Saliba are nonetheless right here when the season begins stays to be seen, I’ve a suspicion that one in all them would possibly depart, however even with that we’d have two choices for that place with out signing the Argentina worldwide.

So, is it odd to assume that perhaps we’re after Martinez for an additional purpose? He can play left-back, in addition to central midfield, which could imply he’s back-up/competitors for Kieran Tierney, and maybe his versatility makes him a little bit of a Swiss Military Knife choice for Mikel Arteta. The speak round Youri Tielemans has gone very quiet, are we considering of a distinct midfield configuration subsequent season? All of us noticed the Belgian because the inventive improve within the left 8 place occupied by Granit Xhaka on this present system, however what if there’s one other plan involving somebody already on the membership?

Would the arrival of Raphinha permit Bukayo Saka to play in that place, for instance? We’ve seen Emile Smith Rowe used there a few times? And Fabio Vieira can play there even when he’s principally been used in the direction of the correct in his profession to date. I don’t know, I’m actually simply speculating, however some of the thrilling issues about this summer season is contemplating how we’re going to make this group much less predictable subsequent season. The attacking arrivals will assist, after all, however a signing like this would possibly unlock some items we beforehand thought unmovable, so let’s see what occurs.

Proper, that’s it for this morning. Have a very good one, extra tomorrow, and in case you haven’t had an opportunity to hear already, there’s a model new Arsecast Additional for you beneath.