Despite being Australia’s ‘bling’ club, Melbourne City have somewhat flown under the radar this season.
They have been efficient if not spectacular, finishing a respectable third in Warren Joyce’s first regular season at the club, and now securing progress to a semi-final against Newcastle Jets after a 2-0 win over Brisbane Roar.
The nature of that preliminary final victory was somewhat representative of City’s overall season, and their tactical approach.
Joyce was focused primarily on organisation and structure, typified by his use of two centre-backs (Osama Malik and Michael Jakobsen) in midfield. In the first part of the season, the focus was on being hard to break down. The side defended in a disciplined 4-4-2 shape, pressed as a unit and defended collectively. That suited players like Stefan Mauk and Nick Fitzgerald – hard-working, functional attackers who could do the defensive duties first, and provide some attacking ability second.
Over time, City have become steadily more forward-thinking, but still in that same vein of organisation and structure.
Their usual attacking pattern, for example, involved the central midfielders rotating into wide areas, the full-backs moving higher and the wingers coming inside – effective nonetheless, but more about clear roles and tasks rather than creativity and inspiration.
Daniel Arzani of Melbourne City (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
That is possibly why the emergence of Daniel Arzani has been particularly thrilling. If City are straight lines, Arzani is a wriggle and a curve. His ability to dribble past defenders is sensational, and was key to City’s semi-final win.
On the right-hand side, up against Ivan Franjic, who was determined to stick tight and prevent him from facing forward, Arzani constantly got into dangerous attacking positions with a clever turn of pace. He was often able to dribble past Franjic’s pressure, and get to the byline to deliver cutbacks into the penalty area.
He was City’s main source of creativity, and it was only through a combination of poorly timed runs from other attackers into the box, and some inconsistent finishing, that the home side did not take the lead earlier.
Arzani has provided an x-factor that might otherwise be missing in Joyce’s general cagey gameplan. While the additions of Oliver Bozanic and Dario Vidosic have provided more of an attacking spark, and the use of Luke Brattan as the sole holding midfielder at the base of the midfield triangle is similarly encouraging, their overall system emphasises moving the ball slowly from one side to the other, ensuring that players are in position to stop a counter-attack if the ball is turned over.
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There is, of course, nothing fundamentally wrong with this, as Joyce is entitled to play however he thinks gets the best out of his squad, but it does mean Arzani is key to breaking teams down – particularly opponents that are similarly focused on stayed organised, as Brisbane were.
What is encouraging is that Joyce seems to be spurring Arzani on to perform better each week.
Unlike other talented youngsters, who often have a breakthrough season, Arzani improves with his dribbling each week – making better decisions about when to take players on, and becoming more effective with his repertoire of skills. Additionally, he’s learning to combine effectively with other attackers, with one particular combination with Bruno Fornaroli inside the box leading to an excellent chance in front of goal.
There is also a noticeable difference in his physique, which has given him the strength to compete and last longer in games.
That is the benefit of having an experienced hand like Joyce in charge. He knows how to push young players to improve, and has helped create an environment at City that gives players both the responsibility to be professional, but also the tools to succeed, with Nathaniel Atkinson another beneficiary of this.
City have not been spectacular, but they didn’t necessarily need to be to achieve success this season.
Yet there remains the nagging feeling City can still improve. They remain reliant on the individual qualities of their star attackers to score goals. It also feels like we should expect a side with their resources to be more entertaining.
In spite of this, Warren Joyce has created a solid, robust team that can compete consistently in the league. It remains to be seen if solid and robust, garnished with an Arzani, is enough to achieve major success.
Onside
Guest
Melb City might be the canary in FFA's cave, in that the owners are sitting on the fence regarding investing more money into the club, waiting for the FFA to address salary cap and other counterproductive business control issues currently stifling further investment. Once the FFA allow investors to pay more for players , the standard will improve ,along with increased supporter interest, that then in turn increases the value of the club. This would then create a flow on effect of attracting increased investment in existing and new HAL clubs, plus in time, the inevitable creation of another division . Right now Melbourne City's Canary is just sitting there, waiting for the investment go signal
TK
Guest
Yep his dribbling skills are up there with his diving and pouting, He needs to pack that sh$t away and get on with playing football.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
What Arzani has shown is the he has the confidence and ability to beat players one on one, often gliding past 2 players with a switch of speed and a drop of the shoulder or a feint he or there. Some people here have added Kruse and Troisi to the discussion. Mostly those guys disappoint more often than not.
Redondo
Guest
Absolutely agree. If Bert is even thinking of having Rukavytsya in the Socceroos squad then Arzani should be an automatic choice. Arzani subbed on for 30 mins against Sydney last December - I think that was his first appearance and even then he looked outstanding.
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
Stevo I have nothing but the utmost respect for all posters on this site, including those who often display rather petulant tendencies. :)
Fadida
Guest
Hoole took all of the set pieces, from which I can recall at least 4 goals.
Barca4life
Guest
In context yes but in reality most young players around the world will display poor decision making and immatiurty, only 5% would probably would be against the norm. But these traits are normal to have during the teen to early 20 years.
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
We've never had a (male) footballer amongst the top 50 footballers of the world in the history of the game, so it's hardly a revelation to say that Arzani is not the best in the world. Also, it's irrelevant talking about underage players playing against other underage players. The true test is when they are up against senior, experienced players, and guess what, they are likely to look relatively immature in that scenario.
j binnie
Guest
Nemesis - After watching the recent game between Victory and Adelaide I think we saw what Arzani could become in the future through the performance of Victory's Barbarouses. Both players have similar talents and similar styles of play and it would pay Joyce to ensure that Arzani catches Barbarouses on one of his,Barbarouses's better days ,as he was last game. Both players are a throwback to better days when most teams could afford a player of this style and entertainment value,Garrincha (Brazil), Hamrin (Sweden), Finney (England), Best (Ireland) and Johnstone (Scotland) being a few that jump to mind. Unfortunately the tactical development of the game ,especially in concentrated defending, is making it harder and harder for this type of player to develop. More's the pity. Cheers jb.
Nick Symonds
Guest
"Hopefully BVM will see what is obvious, he has a hugely gifted young talent who will make a bigger impact than Kruse or Troisi right now. Arzani is potentially our player of the generation." Arzani - 2 goals from 17 matches for Melbourne City = 11.76% Kruse - 5 goals from 62 matches for Australia = 8.06% Troisi - 5 goals from 37 matches for Australia = 13.51% Arzani - 3 goals from 17 matches for Melbourne City = 17.64% (hypothetical)
Nemesis
Guest
Ok. Just found the assists. Arzani has 6 assists for the season, which is a reasonable return. However, Andrew Hoole has 7, so that puts things into perspective. I thoroughly enjoy watching Arzani, but I think some of the cheerleading is ridiculous. Iran probably don't have a clue who he is. The little I see of Iranian footballers, they'd have hundreds of Arzani quality players running around their fields.
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
The kid is a real talent and could be anything. He's not ready for the World Cup, but I'd take him and throw him on for 5 minutes at the end of a game to see if he can make a giant leap toward being ready.
Fadida
Guest
" ...lots of terrific touches, back heels, nutmegs and dribbling..." which is what I'm seeing. It's something I'm not seeing from any other Australian in the A-league, and probably only Rogic, Luongo and Mooy overseas. I'm also seeing some decent decision making and a player who gets his head up and looks for team mates in the box. I don't know his what assist count is, but I'd guess at 6-8. He's not the finished article, as you'd expect with his lack of experience, but he's got incredible potential. He reminds me so much of Nani, the ex Man U winger, diving and pouting included
Nemesis
Guest
"To be honest, most talents of that age display the traits of poor decision-making, selfishness, and by definition, immaturity." Watch the u20 World Cup. Watch the u17 World Cup. The top players in the world at any age group will exhibit high quality decision-making, will be unselfishn & show maturity. That's why they're the best in the world at their age group. Too often we think "best in Australia" automatically means "best in the World". It does not.
Nemesis
Guest
What exactly has been Arzani's output? Real tangible outcomes? I have him with 2 goals from 17 matches. I don't have the assists. Does he have (m)any? Lots of terrific touches, back heels, nutmegs & dribbling. Plus, regular simulation & pouting when the ref waves him away.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
Oh don't put that curse on him, calling someone the next Harry Kewell never ends well!
Fadida
Guest
Better IMO. He has all of the physical attributes that Rogic arguably still doesn't.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
I said the other day he's the best raw talent i've seen since Rogic.
Fadida
Guest
Arzani is going to be Harry Kewell good. So good that the powers that be need to get in the ear of BVM. I'd rather we tie down Arzani and lose BVM in the process (being Dutch he'd refuse to call him up and design on stubborn principle). Hopefully BVM will see what is obvious, he has a hugely gifted young talent who will make a bigger impact than Kruse or Troisi right now. Arzani is potentially our player of the generation.
Fadida
Guest
Agree