Daniel Arzani eyes Socceroos berth for World Cup

Daniel Arzani is out of the football wilderness, enjoying himself and eyeing a once-unlikely bolt into the Socceroos’ World Cup plans.

Back in 2018, the then-teen sensation enjoyed a meteoric rise to Australia’s squad for the World Cup in Russia, was signed by Manchester City, and appeared set for global stardom.

Instead, he tore his an ACL in his first appearance on loan at Celtic in 2018 and, when he returned to fitness, drifted through unsuccessful stints in the Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium.

Back in the A-League Men with Macarthur FC, the now 23-year-old is ready to make a statement in the six games before the Socceroos squad is named on Nov. 14.

“I feel the best physically and mentally that I have for a long time,” Arzani said.

“It’s an incredible feeling going into the season with nothing but excitement.

Daniel Arzani says he knows what he must do to feature in Socceroos boss Graham Arnold’s plans: “I’ve just got to really hit the ground running and play really well.’ Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“I had a lot of problems with my tendon and some other things that went on in between and after [his ACL injury].

“It’s really tough mentally but it’s just a part of football isn’t it? There’s a lot of highs, there’s a lot of lows.

“I had an incredible run leading into the 2018 World Cup and I’m hoping that with a good start to the season here, I can kind of repeat what I did with the last one, going into this one.”

Arzani was in the Olyroos squad that played at the Olympic Games in Tokyo under Graham Arnold, and knows what he has to do to feature in the Socceroos boss’ plans.

“I’ve just got to really hit the ground running and play really well,” Arzani said.

Giving Arzani more reason to believe is the promising start he has enjoyed under Macarthur coach Dwight Yorke.

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“The biggest thing is that he’s very good at getting the best out of people, and he’s really given me a lot of freedom and a lot of confidence to do what I’m best at,” Arzani said.

“The coach puts a big emphasis on enjoying your football.

“At the end of the day, you’ve got to get that feeling from when you were just a little kid playing at the park.”

Arzani believes he is a more mature person and footballer than when he broke through with Melbourne City four years ago.

“I’m a lot better in a lot of aspects,” he said. “I have a lot better end product in my game than I did back then.

“I can’t wait to get started and show what I can do.”