Arnold urges "exciting" Arzani to seize his chance after return to Socceroos
Crediting Tony Popovic for rejuvenating his career, Australia boss Graham Arnold says Daniel Arzani's return to the Socceroos is a chance for him to show how much he wants to return to a World Cup.
Socceroos boss Graham Arnold has credited Melbourne Victory coach Tony Popovic with getting Daniel Arzani back to his best after bringing the electric winger back from the international wilderness for coming World Cup qualifiers.
After a long, winding and not-all-that-pleasant journey through England, Scotland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and Campbelltown, Arzani’s standout season with Victory was recognised on Wednesday with a place in Arnold’s 25-player squad for coming fixtures against Bangladesh and Palestine.
An unused member of Arnold’s squad in August of 2021 – when COVID-related issues limited the available player pool – as well as a member of the Olyroos’ squad at the Tokyo Olympics, the 25-year-old will see his first international minutes since being the youngest player at the 2018 FIFA World Cup should he see the field in those two games.
After identifying Popovic as a coach whose standards would bring the best out of him, Arzani registered career highs in goals and assists across the 2023-24 A-League Men season, as well as leading Australian players in the competition for big chances created and successful dribbles.
The attacker was amongst the best afield in Victory’s losing effort in last Saturday’s grand final against the Central Coast Mariners, subbed out after 75 minutes with his side up 1-0 and himself on track to win the Joe Marston Medal, only to watch on as the Mariners staged a comeback.
“It's exciting for me also to see them in the squad -- but it's also about performance,” said Arnold. “Daniel is, for me, I think he's had a very good season under Tony Popovic.
“I think Tony Popovic has got the best out of him, you can see his work rate defensively has improved out of sight. He still has that action and what I have been impressed with is his final ball, his final pass, and his end product. Those have stepped up a level, which is great.
“It gives us an opportunity here for Daniel to come [back] and fit back into the mould of the Socceroos. It's all about attitude, as well, for these guys that are coming in; fitting into the culture and fitting into what our expectations are... and then getting ready for these games.”
Arzani will represent one of several fresh faces in Arnold’s squad for the coming window, with Nestory Irankunda, Paul Izzo, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Alessandro Circati, Cameron Devlin, and newly-crowned Johnny Warren Medalist Josh Nisbet all named in the squad. Mat Leckie will also return for the first time in 2024.
These opportunities in the wake of figures such as Mat Ryan, Sam Silvera, and Nathaniel Atkinson have been left out of the squad at the end of a long European season, while the likes of Craig Goodwin, Brandon Borello, Aiden O'Neill, and Calem Nieuwenhof are injured.
Irankunda, Leckie, Martin Boyle, Jordy Bos, and Connor Metcalfe all shape as options on the flanks for the coming games. But, after battling back from a multitude of injuries, battles with falling out of love with the game, and the vitriol sent his way for a perceived failure to meet the public’s expectations; Arnold sees the coming window as an opportunity for Arzani to establish himself on the road to the next World Cup.
“Let's not forget the tough period the kid went through,” said Arnold. “He went to Celtic, did his ACL and was out for a year. He came back to Australia and it didn't really work out that well for him at Macarthur. He's had to rebuild.
“I think Tony Popovic has done an outstanding job with him. He's got him fit and he's got him hungry again. Probably the last six, or seven weeks are probably the best I've seen Daniel since I had him with the Olympic team and before that.
“This is his opportunity to come in. With the non-selection of Sammy Silvera, we've still got Martin Boyle and Mat Leckie who can play on that side of the pitch. And Daniel gives us the option that you can play on both sides.
“But this is a great opportunity for the kid to come in and show us; show us how much he wants to be with the Socceroos. [Show] how much he wants to play for the nation but also how much he wants to go to the North American World Cup [in 2026].”