Head coach backs Arsenal player to be country’s World Cup standout

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Chicago Fire head coach Ezra Hendrickson has told MLS Soccer that Matt Turner is the potential difference maker for the USMNT at the World Cup, lauding the Arsenal goalkeeper as a very, very good shot-stopper.

Turner looks set to play a key role for Gregg Berhalter’s men in Qatar. The 28-year-old has taken the number one jersey. And he is most experienced goalkeeper in the ranks, with 20 caps under his belt.

Of course, Gunners fans are yet to see too much of Turner following his summer switch to the Emirates. He is yet to make his Premier League debut for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Matt Turner tipped to shine at the World Cup

He has played four times in the Europa League. However, he has had not too much to do in that time, with Arsenal conceding just one goal in those games.

So supporters will be looking on, very interested to see how Turner fares at the tournament. The US have a tough group. It could be one they get out of, but it really could go any way.

Some figures within MLS were asked to predict the player within the USMNT squad who will make the difference in Qatar. And Hendrickson opted for the Arsenal man.

“Goalkeeping has always been a strong point for the US team when it comes to these tournaments. It’s no different this year,” he told MLS Soccer.

“Matt has shown his shot-stopping ability to be very, very good. That’s going to be incredibly useful for this current squad.”

This is a fantastic opportunity for Turner. Of course, no one will need to tell him about the significance of representing his country at a World Cup.

But it could also allow him to prove a further point to Mikel Arteta. Obviously, Arteta will be aware of his quality. Arsenal would not have signed him otherwise.

But standing out at the tournament will further prove why the Gunners brought him in in the first place. And it may have an impact on how much he features in the second-half of the season.