Matt Turner has played his first competitive club fixture since agreeing to join Arsenal, keeping a clean sheet for the New England Revolution.
![27yo plays his 1st league game after signing for Arsenal 1 COLUMBUS, OHIO - JULY 03: Matt Turner #30 of New England Revolution in goal during their game against the Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field on July 03, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)](https://dailycannon.com/static/uploads/2022/01/new-england-revolution-v-columbus-crew-sc-1024x683.jpg)
When Matt Turner agreed to join Arsenal in January, the MLS was between seasons, as they operate on a calendar-year basis.
The goalkeeper went away with the United States Men’s National Team in late January, keeping two clean sheets in three games, but he then picked up an injury in a pre-season friendly.
As a result, Turner hadn’t played a single competitive club fixture from when New England Revolution officially announced his planned departure for Arsenal until this weekend.
At last, the 27-year-old made his comeback against Inter Miami CF on Sunday morning (or Saturday night local time).
The comeback went well, as Turner made three saves and one high claim to keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win. He’ll hope to play a few more games over the next month and a half before he joins Arsenal officially in late June.
![27yo plays his 1st league game after signing for Arsenal 2 COLUMBUS, OHIO: Matt Turner #1 of the United States warms up before a 2022 World Cup Qualifying match against Costa Rica at Lower.com Field on October 13, 2021. (Photo by Emilee Chinn / Getty Images)](https://dailycannon.com/static/uploads/2022/01/costa-rica-v-united-states-2022-world-cup-qualifying-1024x683.jpg)
Turner’s injury was muddled by unclear reporting in the media, leading Turner to release a statement on Twitter to clear things up last month.
You can read the statement in full here, but we can sum it up as follows:
Turner had a brief bout of tendinitis in his left foot after a recent game for the USMNT, which was quickly resolved.
Turner then suffered a hairline fracture in his right foot following a reckless challenge in his final game of pre-season.
![27yo plays his 1st league game after signing for Arsenal 3 USA's goalkeeper Matt Turner applauds after USA's victory at the Concacaf Gold Cup football match final between Mexico and USA at the Allegiant stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 1, 2021. (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON / AFP via Getty Images)](https://dailycannon.com/static/uploads/2022/01/fbl-concacaf-gold-usa-mex-1024x683.jpg)
New England Revolution confirmed in February that they’d agreed terms for Turner’s transfer to Arsenal pending a medical, adding that Turner is expected to join in June 2022.
The Athletic then reported that Turner is set to sign a three-year contract with Arsenal when the transfer market reopens this summer.
The Gunners have sealed an agreement with the MLS club, it’s just about the formalities now.
Football.London report that the Gunners don’t intend to confirm the transfer until Turner undergoes that pending medical in June.
But there’s no bad blood between the clubs, with Arsenal giving their blessing to New England Revolution for their announcement.