ARNOLD SETS GOALS

Socceroos coach promising attacking football as he begins reign

FOOTBALL: Graham Arnold has promised to bring goals back to the Socceroos, starting with his first friendly tonight in the oppressive heat of Kuwait.

Australia return to international action against the Arabian Gulf state for the first time since the creditable but defensive-minded World Cup campaign.

With long-serving greats Mile Jedinak and Tim Cahill gone, part-time coach Bert van Marwijk in the rear-view mirror and an Asian Cup defence in less than three months’ time, Arnold begins his tenure with a low-key friendly match played in the dead of night, Australian time.

That hasn’t stopped him upping the ante on the match against the world No.158, saying he wants to start with a bang.

“I have complete trust that these boys will make a great statement on Monday night,” he said.

“We’ve been working hard on the style we want to play – the style we will play – and it’s about playing players to their strengths.

“Australians always have great discipline, great attitude, that’s the least you expect.

“With the attack, we’re giving them rotations, options and freedom. Freedom to express and show their qualities, especially in the opposition half.

“We have the quality in the front half of the field that will excite everyone.”

Based on training, Arnold is likely to stick with the 4-2-3-1

formation that Australia fielded at the World Cup and was his staple at Sydney FC, with Apostolos Giannou likely to get first crack as striker.

Hard-luck World Cup story Massimo Luongo should start in midfield with Jackson Irvine, with Tom Rogic, Mat Leckie and Robbie Kruse in advanced roles.

The back four appears unchanged from Russia, while Danny Vukovic should start in goal with first-choice gloveman Mat Ryan absent.

Given the sapping conditions in Kuwait, it would be a surprise if Arnold didn’t use all six substitutes at his disposal, including Daniel Arzani, Mustafa Amini and possible debutants Awer Mabil and Thomas Deng.

Arnold said he wanted the Socceroos to play “free-flowing football with an emphasis on pressing” and a wider spread of goalscoring options.

“We’ll go wide but have three or four in the box, not one. We’ll play through the middle,” he said.

“We’ve done a full analysis of the top teams across Europe.”