Graham Arnold has been getting advice left, right and centre.
And that’s precisely where the Socceroos coach has gaps to fill when naming his 26-man World Cup squad on Tuesday.
Arnold has been weighing factors including injuries, lack of match minutes and form while pondering his best combination for the cup in Qatar starting on November 20.
And he’s not been short of advice.
Particularly from A-League Men coaches who have been pushing the cases of their players such as 18-year-old Garang Kuol and Daniel Arzani.
Four years ago at the cup in Russia, Arzani was touted as Australia’s wonderkid – a mantle now shifted on to Kuol.
Arzani, who spent much of his time in between cups battling injury while shunted around clubs in Europe, has impressed his Macarthur FC coach Dwight Yorke.
“If I were Graham Arnold … if you’re looking for someone to come off the bench and affect the game, I think Arzani’s one of the best players, if not the best player in the league, for sure,” Yorke said.
Central Coast coach Nick Montgomery similarly gushes about the precocious Kuol, soon to join Newcastle United in the Premier League, saying he has rare attributes “like lightning speed and the ability to glide past players and also finish”.
Finishing polish is something the Socceroos have lacked.
Arzani, Koul, Awer Mabil, Mathew Leckie, Martin Boyle – who has been cleared of a knee injury – and Adelaide United captain Craig Goodwin offer threats on the wings.
Goodwin, among the most influential players in the ALM, has overcome an off-season groin injury.
“I have done everything I can to to be playing well,” Goodwin told AAP.
Arnold is likely to choose a central strike-force of Adam Taggart, Mitch Duke and Jamie Maclaren with Central Coast’s Jason Cummings a wildcard.
Stalwart Leckie believed his Melbourne City teammate Maclaren should be a frontrunner to start up front.
“When people talk about Australian footballers they always critique that we don’t have finishers or typical goalscorers and that’s what Macca is,” Leckie said.
Arnold’s attacking midfield linchpin Ajdin Hrustic travels to Qatar carrying an ankle injury.
With Italian-based 18-year-old Cristian Volpato set to reject Australia’s overtures, Tom Rogic looms likely despite barely playing in the past six months while experienced duo Aaron Mooy and Jackson Irvine are midfield locks.
Arnold will punt on imposing Harry Souttar being fully recovered from a knee reconstruction as a central defensive pillar with support from Trent Sainsbury and Milos Degenek.
And while Aziz Behich has a firm hold on left-back the right-back slot is open, with Fran Karacic and Nathaniel Atkinson candidates to try to protect captain and goalkeeper Mat Ryan, who is expected to be joined by fellow custodians Mitch Langerak and Andrew Redmayne in the squad.
Ryan was left out of FC Copenhagen’s squad to face Lyngby on Monday morning (AEDT) with the club citing “knee problems”.
But a Socceroos spokesperson confirmed the knee issue was nothing serious and Ryan’s withdrawal was only a precaution.
Australia’s cup campaign opens against reigning champions France on November 23 (6am AEDT) with games against Tunisia and Denmark to follow.
