Football Pundits have criticized Matt Turner for his recent performance in the Europa League. The Pundits are not convinced with his performance on Thursday. They are not sure that they can trust Matt Turner after he failed to save the first goal against them. Arsenal have some serious work to do if they wish to advance in the Europa League. The match started well for the Gunners when William Saliba scored a header for them. However the Gunners were quick to concede an equalizer from a corner. Sporting managed to turn the game around in their favor as they even scored a second therefore gaining a lead. Arsenal were lucky to cancel out the second goal with an own goal induced by Xhaka. It seems like both Rachel Brown-Finnis and Martin Keown were not impressed with Matt Turner for the first equalizer.
BT Pundit criticized Matt Turner for his performance
Sporting managed to equalize the score after Goncalo Inacio headed home a Marcus Edwards corner. And it was not a tough chance as Jakub Kiwior did not jump along with the player. And Jakub Kiwior did receive some of that blame for the goal. However it was Matt Turner who received most of the blame. Both Pundits feel like the player should have done more to try and save the goal. Finnis told BT Sport, “He doesn’t command his area. He knows it’s going to be an in-swinger so you’ve got to be a little bit flat to your line. But he’s not set so he’s moving. Therefore, if you’re moving, you can’t make a decision and go for it.”
He further added, “He has to command this. It’s three yards out, he’s got to go and make contact, got to clatter the player. He’s uncontested, that doesn’t help Matt Turner that Kiwior just does nothing, almost shrugs away. That, to me, indicates he’s had a shout. We’ve not seen anything to say that, but the keeper’s got to come.”
Keown further added on, “What I’d be saying, if I’m playing regularly with this keeper, I’m going to have to go and head things because I can’t necessarily trust him. I hope it’s a one-off,”
Therefore it was a mixed first half for Matt Turner. However he also made couple of smart saves to deny the opponent. On the hindsight, he also landed himself in some fishy situations which could have costed Arsenal the game. It is understandable that it is hard for Turner as he is not the first choice goalkeeper at Arsenal. But there is still time for the player to improve his game and learn more from Aaron Ramsdale.
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