USMNT's Matt Turner denies Arsenal move puts international status at risk

Matt Turner insists he has not gambled his USMNT starting spot by joining Arsenal.

The 28-year-old moved to the Gunners from the New England Revolution in a deal worth up to $10 million and started the club's first preseason friendly on their U.S. tour in Saturday's 2-0 win over Everton in Baltimore.

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Aaron Ramsdale has established himself as Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper under Mikel Arteta and Turner appears to face a difficult task in dislodging him, despite being named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2021.

Turner is currently vying with Zack Steffen for the No. 1 jersey in Gregg Berhalter's side with the World Cup just four months away.

Steffen is set to join Middlesbrough on loan from Manchester City in search of regular action, but Turner believes he can make a fast start in north London.

«Opportunities like this for players from the U.S. are few and far between,» Turner said. «I wouldn't say I'm worried or it's a gamble. This is the obvious progression in my career.

»Getting my foot in the door overseas is a lot easier said than done. I've been playing well in MLS for the last three seasons and this was the first concrete offer I had.

«Playing consistently in MLS did not guarantee me the starting XI for the U.S. national team. I needed to shake it up to take my game to the next level and playing in the Premier League with these guys has already shown me some massive improvements.

»You have to think about your entire career. You can't make decisions based on one World Cup. Injuries happen and athletic careers are finite. I've wanted to take this game as far as I can, so to be able to