Matt Turner earned his English Premier League debut on Saturday and coincidentally it took place at the home of his former club.
Turner started for Nottingham Forest on Saturday, jumping right into Steve Cooper’s starting lineup at the Emirates Stadium. However, it wasn’t an enjoyable result for Forest, who suffered a 2-1 road defeat in its season opener.
Turner, who watched Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka both score past him in the first half, finished the match with five saves.
Nketiah delivered the opening goal for the Gunners in the 26th minute, finishing off Gabriel Martinelli’s clever move with a deflected shot down the middle of Turner’s net. The deflection caused Turner to fall behind the shot, watching it nestle into the back of the net.
Bakayo Saka’s blistering left-footed strike in the 32nd minute would increase Arsenal’s lead to 2-0.
Turner denied Declan Rice his first Arsenal goal in the 76th minute, pushing the midfielder’s shot off the crossbar and keeping the deficit at two goals.
Taiwo Awoniyi came off the bench and celebrated his first goal of the season six minutes later to give Forest a 2-1 lifeline. However, it was the closest that Cooper’s men would get to a comeback as Arsenal held on for three points.
Turner showed positive moments in between the posts and certainly kept Nottingham Forest from avoiding a much-larger defeat.
Nottingham Forest will next host Sheffield United at The City Ground on Friday, August 18.