Arnold Roar to core
GOLD Coast product Mackenzie Arnold never considered signing elsewhere before committing to return for a second W-League season at the Brisbane Roar.
The Roar yesterday announced the retention of goalkeeper Arnold and captain Clare Polkinghorne for the 2017/18 campaign as they look to bounce back from missing the finals last season.
A former Perth, Canberra and Sydney player, Arnold is relishing being back in her hometown where she started her soccer endeavours at the Burleigh Bulldogs.
“I’m playing with the girls I grew up with and we had a lot of fun last year,” she said.
“It’s going to take a bit to move me out of this place now. I am happy where I am now and I am happy to stay … I wasn’t going to sign anywhere else.”
The 23-year-old is enjoying increased recent opportunity at international level for the Matildas.
She played two of three games in their Tournament of Nations triumph in the United States and is likely to receive more game time in upcoming fixtures against Brazil on September 16 in Penrith and September 19 in Newcastle.
Having beaten the South American powerhouse nation 6-1 in the States, the Matildas will enter the matches high on confidence.
Arnold is battling fellow stopper Lydia Williams to earn No.1 status in Australia’s keeping ranks.
“Definitely it’s been a long time coming and I think the coach is starting to finally get some confidence in me and giving me some games every now and then which obviously I really appreciate,” she said.
After the Brazilian clashes, she will head to southeast Queensland to get stuck straight into the Roar’s preseason.