In life, mistakes need to be made in order to learn and develop to do better in the future.
For Australia coach Graham Arnold, his first stint as manager of the national team presented some regrets.
“I can sit here today and say to you in 2007 I wasn’t a coach,” he said, according to FTBL. “I inherited a job that I didn’t deserve – and I do feel that I’ve walked away from that a much better coach after making the mistakes I made,” he said in 2018.”
At domestic level in the A-League with the Central Coast Mariners and Sydney FC, the 59-year-old was able to win championships at both clubs and cemented his status as one of Australia’s top coaches.
Arnold has been criticised for his reactive football approach in the past, but it has been effective at club level, and his results are a testament to that.
For the Socceroos, however, is this really the approach that we want to see for the years and generations to come?
When Arnold took over the reins from Guus Hiddink, he demonstrated a similar tactical philosophy even though possession-based football was not so dominant 15 years ago.
The one area in which he learned from his first experience is galvanising this current playing group with all of the challenges it has faced with COVID and the like. In 2007 it was completely the opposite.
He admitted to those errors in regard to keeping the golden generation together on the same page.
“I can sit down and talk to those guys I coached and I’m actually embarrassed to say I coached them because I didn’t coach them in the right way,” he said.
Yesterday’s World Cup squad announcement raised a lot of eyebrows and brought up a few shocks from some decisions a lot of people were not expecting.
Firstly, let’s address arguably the biggest talking point to come out of it, which has even broken headlines over in Italy: talented 18-year-old Cristian Volpato rejecting the opportunity to represent his country of birth despite being offered a place in the 26-man squad.
Cristian Volpato of AS Roma (Photo by Antonietta Baldassarre/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images)
There are few people past and present associated with Australian football who hold the national side so close to their hearts and who show more passion than Graham Arnold.
He should know that if a player has a single ounce of doubt about playing for the green and gold, they don’t deserve to be a part of the squad.
Volpato was neglected through the youth set-up at both Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers, where he was deemed not good enough, even though Roma legend Francesco Totti scouted the teenager as a great prospect.
If this has played any part in his decision, so be it. It’s his life and he has the right to choose the nationality he wants to represent, which should be respected no matter how bitter a pill it is to swallow for Australians.
He has previously stated multiple times that his dream is to play for the Azzurri, so why did Arnold speak to him three days straight to convince him otherwise?
This move can easily unsettle the dressing room and provide discomfort for those who have earned their positions through the build-up and qualification phase, especially because Volpato has never had his heart set on Australia.
After the Aussies secured a ticket to Qatar due to the incredible heroics displayed to knock out Peru, Arnold made it clear to his players that no-one would be guaranteed a spot on the plane. Only form and fitness would count.
“It’s about performance and form,” Arnold told Fox Sports. “And you know, the message I drove straight after the Peru game to the players was no-one signed a contract. No-one’s got any guarantees. You have to get back to your clubs.”
If that is the case, then why was goalkeeper Mitch Langerak snubbed? He has been a consistent performer for club side Nagoya Grampus in the J.League, which led to the former Borussia Dortmund shot-stopper’s award for the club’s best player this season.
(Photo by Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images)
Compare him to the inclusions of Mat Ryan, Andrew Redmayne and Danny Vukovic. Langerak, 34 years old, has played 690 minutes more than Ryan and 600 more minutes than the other two backups combined.
So much for form and fitness.
Players who should also feel hard done by include Jason Davidson, Harrison Delbridge, Kenny Dougall and Ryan Strain, who have all been racking up game time along with adequate form with their respective clubs.
It makes a mockery of Arnold’s claims.
The biggest let-down from the squad announcement was the exclusion of the talented trio in the form of Tom Rogic, Daniel Arzani and Marco Tilio.
Why didn’t Arnold pick these attacking players who can change a game in an instant if he was stubborn enough to select players like Ryan and Fran Karacic?
Rogic by no means has had the best luck in terms of injuries and fitness, but he has been playing recently for his new club at West Brom Albion in the Championship.
The 29-year-old knows the Australian camp well and used to work under the current coach in his time back at the Mariners.
Arzani was recognised as the next big thing to be produced for Australia at the tender age of 19 at the 2018 World Cup. Has his form and fitness been that poor lately with Macarthur FC to warrant him missing out?
Tilio was involved in the Olyroos and Olympics squads, which have proven his potential and ability, and plays for Melbourne City, where he was instrumental in winning a championship.
Take reigning world champions France, for example. Despite the obvious discrepancy in talent on paper, if Paul Pogba were available to play after missing the entire season with Juventus, he would be selected because, in spite of form and fitness, he has an incredible gift that very few possess.
Graham Arnold does not have the luxury of dropping players based on form and fitness.
Australia has nothing to lose at this World Cup, so why not bring along an arsenal of weapons that can challenge it to get out of the group stages?
The counterargument would be that youth is being focused on to build for the future and to gain experience for future World Cups. Riley McGree (24), Keanu Baccus (24), Cameron Devlin (24), Kye Rowles (24) and Joel King (22) are a handful that can turn this journey into a vital learning adventure.
While this is admirable, will those same players still be involved in this youth project in four years’ time?
Will Graham Arnold even be in charge of the national team in the foreseeable future?
Ange Postecoglou was supposed to lead a young generation to a better path and pave the way for an exciting new era. Instead he had a falling out with the board, and we have not seen players like Massimo Luongo appear again since his breakout performance at the 2015 Asian Cup.
This current Socceroos core possesses glimpses of developing prospects in the making, but Arnold’s decisions around his squad selection could cost him his job sooner than he might have anticipated.
TenTribesOfTexas
Guest
During the early stages of group qualification Arnold lamented the dearth of left footers available and sang the praises of Craig Goodwin. Yet he failed to select Goodwin or any other left footer. Meanwhile left footed fullback Gersbach gets regular game time in France and never gets selected and young left footed winger and mid Panos Armenakus is nowhere in sight. Arnold's thinking just ain't right. He needs to go coach in other leagues to gain more experience
Punter
Roar Rookie
Not doubting anything you say, but how can you doubt what I said?
Grem
Roar Rookie
I guess the Socceroos will never match the performances of the Wobblies. You must be filled with pride after they were narrowly beaten by that rugger powerhouse - Italy. If rugger had a true World Cup, could they even qualify?
WMM
Guest
Well said Adelaide Andy !!! At last someone applying common sense and perspective.
WMM
Guest
Jesus Christ Punter, Ange immigrated to Australia when he was 5, he is more Australian than he is Greek and you’re bringing that into the debate?? Wind your neck in mate. Ange win the Asian Cup and Qualified us for Russia and most of you all complained about him. He’s done more for Australian football than Arnie ever will. He is more Australian than, Souttar, Boyle and Cummins, the so called saviours of the national team if you ask Grem :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Harry Brill
Roar Rookie
Well said. Miller and Jay Rich as you mentioned were physically far superior to their Asian Cup opponents.
Brett
Guest
there are markets available now however my nominated bet would net me only 70 cents to the Dollar $1.24 to not make it out of group, $5.50 for round of 16 Chris, what did i say that offended?
Christian Montegan
Roar Pro
Just don't feel as though he offers enough going forward to make himself 'invincible' for Arnold to constantly select. At some point he needs to stand up and do some heavy lifting of his own, especially being such an experienced player
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Deep down, most socceroo supporters would be agreeing with you. Over half the squad is playing in either Scotland or the A-League, and even with the latter they've had a limited amount of games. If we can earn a point somewhere along the line, that will be a terrific result for this squad.
jamesb
Roar Guru
Yeah, but a supporter can be frustrated with the current state of the game in this country. And the national team reflects it. A supporter is entitled to be frustrated. As I said in my previous post, I really hope they prove me wrong.
jamesb
Roar Guru
I'm hoping that my predictions are wrong. I want Australia to do well, but when you look at where the players from France and Denmark in particular, are plying their trade, compared to Australia, then it does look somewhat bleak. IMO, Denmark could be one of the dark horses and could go deep in the tournament. They made the Euro semis without Erikkson. He is back this time around and I wouldn't be surprised if they top the group.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Australia still have the really physical players nowdays that could cause all sorts of issues to teams. Irvine and Leckie are two of the best in that regard.. Metcalfe and Stensness provided a powder puff opposition in midfield that day. There are guys like Lewis Miller and Jay Rich that are really powerful the youth team recently totally intimidated their opposition and then the refs started sending off team members for nothing. Australias approach is now flower power skill based with average skilled players playing out from the back and thinking they are the Barcelona.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
No Maclaren.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
At the world cup in 6 games 2014/2018 Australia scored 2 goals from Cahill and 3 penalties. Leckie earnt one of the penalties with a header. Cahill did score off one his crosses but was offside. Confederations cup he was a wingback. Asia cup 2018 he went into injured and made some sub appearances at the end. Leckie is always good defensively and as a ball winner. I think the difference in the A-league he is super because the teams try to play out and he has a whole team that presses with him at least in the first half. Leckie the confusion is he a winger no, he can play there , he can also defend well and play fullback, really he should be part of striker duo, with a counter attacking long ball team. If he played striker he would have more goals and assists because of his heading ability where a lot of his goals have been scored from.
chris
Guest
I wish you had gone against your opening line.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
while i will break news about young players, adelaide united and general a league stuff - when it comes to the soceeroos i am out of the pipeline (although i did confirm goody was verbally in the squad last week lol) i knew danny a long time ago from the bonnyrigg days, lost contact with him since - but will hopefully rekindle that friendship when he comes to adelaide and if i go to the central coast away match. he was the undisputed #1 for multiple years playing for a big club in a decent league (i would even argue to a point - that the jupiter league is better than the J league) my theory makes perfect sense when you think about it - ryan, redders and vuk are all crawley products and arnie has known all 3 for over a decade and crawley even longer its been a very settled group for a long time and i understand about not wanting to upset the apple cart - the problem with that, is it builds complacency.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
You have seem to have cherry picked u19 year olds . Sydney have had plenty of young players thats not the issue, not so many u19 definetly u23. Adelaide they play their youth for a few minutes at the end wither to get them out of trouble or as a showcase for transfer fees, in terms of total minutes played it favours the old players. Irukunda is born in Africa , is he really as young as they say he is, he doesn't look it. Looking at the average is a joke, what you have in the A-league is young and old squads. Young because they are cheap, old because the coaches are stupid. EPL you have most players getting minutes in the mid range, I remember where the minutes played by young players in the EPL was a very small fraction and same for over 35's. You dont win titles by keeping old players, you win despite them. The choice your offering is dumb and dumber. Old or too young, City have mid range and are dominating. They are not using u19 they have 20 and 21 year olds. They have put 34 year old Jameison on the bench, whereas for Corica he would be offering him a 3 year extension and guaranteed starting spot.
chris
Guest
People have such short memories. France were going to wipe the floor with us in 2018 and Denmark as well. We were unlucky not to get a point against France after a dodgy penalty and a fluky deflected goal in the last few mins. And against Denmark we got a point but we deserved more. The last 30 mins when Arzani went on we were electric. We ran out of legs against a very good Peru side but even then we were very unlucky not to have scored a couple. I'm so sick of the negativity of our so called "supporters". This is not a Mickey Mouse WC and of course it will be difficult.
chris
Guest
Love your optimism Bruce. I bet you'll be at the pub after the final group game yelling out "I told you so". Football genius that you are.
Brett
Guest
Ahh, why not have a say Japan vs Australia, World Cup qualifier, Homebush...yes the Japanese are a very good technical team, who run and run and run...but when they are able to be more physical the Australian team, something's wrong Our national team has never really had say more than three or four exceptional skillful players at any one given time...our success in the past was built on hard work and the attitude to compete at every opportunity. With that game plan lost, so are our chances To say we can take points from the other teams in our group is delusional , I just hope the lads are given pillows to sit on for their long flights home...as they are going to be spanked When I first decided to reply, I thought about attacking Arnold's character, but that isn't fair...one of the earlier comments was exactly right....we should of used this time round as an opportunity to prepare for the next World Cup. But again, we failed to do the right thing Good Luck to the Australian Men's Football Team in Qatar, you will need it Brett