Arnold tips Sydney FC to fire in Asian campaign
GRAHAM Arnold has declared Sydney FC to be the best team in A-League history, adding he is confident his team can become the second Australian side to win the Asia Champions League.
“There will always be debate as to whether it’s us or Brisbane,” Arnold said.
“Okay, they won two championships and we’re chasing that, but they only won one (minor) premiership.
“Brisbane, I believe, lost seven games in those normal rounds in those two years, we’ve lost two with seven games to go.
“That’s our motivation and drive, to beat what they had.”
Sydney kick off their Champions League campaign at home to South Korea’s Suwon Bluewings on Wednesday night.
As his side continues to dominate domestically, fans and pundits alike are keen to see how Arnold’s all-conquering side measures up against Asia’s best.
And Arnold is adamant that Sydney can follow in the footsteps of the Western Sydney Wanderers in 2014 and lift the ACL crown.
“I do,” he said. “Obviously it’s early days and you’ve got to go through the first step first, which is the first six games but I believe we’ve got the team and the players to go a long way.
“I think it’s an exciting period for us. And I do believe we’ve got a lot more in us as wel.
“I’m still waiting for that 90minute performance, and I think in the Champions League we will see that.
“Because the players obviously know it’s a step up in level and from the first game we will be 100 per cent ready to go.”
With a 12-point gap between it and second-placed Newcastle on the A-League ladder, Arnold said “We’ve put ourselves in a position where we’ve got choices” about prioritising particular games over others.”
Arnold also praised the professionalism of Dutch defender Jordy Bujis, who was outstanding in Sydney’s 4-0 demolition of Melbourne City on Saturday night just days after he was left out of Sydney’s ACL squad.
“He took it hard, but what he showed is that he is a fantastic team player, a fantastic guy,” he said.