Arzani keeps focus on World Cup as European move looms
Not easily or by coincidence has Daniel Arzani earned a second shot with the Socceroos.
And the Melbourne Victory A-League Men star won't squander his World Cup hopes as he weighs up chasing his European dream again.
Arzani is bent on helping Australia rubber stamp their path to the 2026 World Cup with a win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Wednesday (AEST).
After their heroic 1-0 win over Japan in Perth last week, only a highly improbable loss by five goals or more would condemn the Socceroos to ceding second spot and automatic qualification to the Saudis.
Arzani is backing himself to prove his mettle after working his way back to the national team.
"There's always been a little bit of self-doubt there, especially after the way things unfolded the last few years," Arzani said on Sunday.
"It changes very quickly - up and down, up and down; positive, negative.
"I'm happy to be in the situation that I'm in now. It hasn't come by easily, nor by coincidence.
"I've worked really hard to be here, and it's been a slow process.
"I feel like now I've got a good base to really show what I can do and to hopefully go even further."
Arzani had lit up the 2018 World Cup for the Socceroos at the tender age of 19.
Now 26, the winger is reasserting his case in the national team after losing time to injuries and ill-fated stints in Europe.
"It's actually a little bit more special, because for the first time, I'm involved in the qualification process as well," Arzani said.
"Being around such a good group of lads, really feeling that connection, everyone working towards one common goal, is always a special feeling.
"It's something that I never experienced before, a real eye opener, and one that I'm really enjoying."
Off-contract at Victory, Arzani is reportedly weighing a move to Scottish Premiership club Hearts.
He is no stranger to the Scottish league, having played for Celtic on a two-year loan from Manchester City in 2018.
But his stint was far from ideal, with the then 19-year-old tearing his anterior cruciate ligament on debut.
Arzani is well aware he'll need regular game time at club level ahead of the 2026 tournament as he weighs up a potential move.
"Any of the boys that are looking to move are off contract. I think that thought process will be in their head," Arzani said.
"It's a big deal, a World Cup. It's massive. Everyone wants to be a part of it. It's going to be very competitive.
"We know we've got a lot of talent as well coming out of Australia, so I think it's definitely important that if I go, I'll be playing weekly."
Not easily or by coincidence has Daniel Arzani earned a second shot with the Socceroos.
And the Melbourne Victory A-League Men star won't squander his World Cup hopes as he weighs up chasing his European dream again.
Arzani is bent on helping Australia rubber stamp their path to the 2026 World Cup with a win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Wednesday (AEST).
After their heroic 1-0 win over Japan in Perth last week, only a highly improbable loss by five goals or more would condemn the Socceroos to ceding second spot and automatic qualification to the Saudis.
Arzani is backing himself to prove his mettle after working his way back to the national team.
"There's always been a little bit of self-doubt there, especially after the way things unfolded the last few years," Arzani said on Sunday.
"It changes very quickly - up and down, up and down; positive, negative.
"I'm happy to be in the situation that I'm in now. It hasn't come by easily, nor by coincidence.
"I've worked really hard to be here, and it's been a slow process.
"I feel like now I've got a good base to really show what I can do and to hopefully go even further."
Arzani had lit up the 2018 World Cup for the Socceroos at the tender age of 19.
Now 26, the winger is reasserting his case in the national team after losing time to injuries and ill-fated stints in Europe.
"It's actually a little bit more special, because for the first time, I'm involved in the qualification process as well," Arzani said.
"Being around such a good group of lads, really feeling that connection, everyone working towards one common goal, is always a special feeling.
"It's something that I never experienced before, a real eye opener, and one that I'm really enjoying."
Off-contract at Victory, Arzani is reportedly weighing a move to Scottish Premiership club Hearts.
He is no stranger to the Scottish league, having played for Celtic on a two-year loan from Manchester City in 2018.
But his stint was far from ideal, with the then 19-year-old tearing his anterior cruciate ligament on debut.
Arzani is well aware he'll need regular game time at club level ahead of the 2026 tournament as he weighs up a potential move.
"Any of the boys that are looking to move are off contract. I think that thought process will be in their head," Arzani said.
"It's a big deal, a World Cup. It's massive. Everyone wants to be a part of it. It's going to be very competitive.
"We know we've got a lot of talent as well coming out of Australia, so I think it's definitely important that if I go, I'll be playing weekly."
Not easily or by coincidence has Daniel Arzani earned a second shot with the Socceroos.
And the Melbourne Victory A-League Men star won't squander his World Cup hopes as he weighs up chasing his European dream again.
Arzani is bent on helping Australia rubber stamp their path to the 2026 World Cup with a win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Wednesday (AEST).
After their heroic 1-0 win over Japan in Perth last week, only a highly improbable loss by five goals or more would condemn the Socceroos to ceding second spot and automatic qualification to the Saudis.
Arzani is backing himself to prove his mettle after working his way back to the national team.
"There's always been a little bit of self-doubt there, especially after the way things unfolded the last few years," Arzani said on Sunday.
"It changes very quickly - up and down, up and down; positive, negative.
"I'm happy to be in the situation that I'm in now. It hasn't come by easily, nor by coincidence.
"I've worked really hard to be here, and it's been a slow process.
"I feel like now I've got a good base to really show what I can do and to hopefully go even further."
Arzani had lit up the 2018 World Cup for the Socceroos at the tender age of 19.
Now 26, the winger is reasserting his case in the national team after losing time to injuries and ill-fated stints in Europe.
"It's actually a little bit more special, because for the first time, I'm involved in the qualification process as well," Arzani said.
"Being around such a good group of lads, really feeling that connection, everyone working towards one common goal, is always a special feeling.
"It's something that I never experienced before, a real eye opener, and one that I'm really enjoying."
Off-contract at Victory, Arzani is reportedly weighing a move to Scottish Premiership club Hearts.
He is no stranger to the Scottish league, having played for Celtic on a two-year loan from Manchester City in 2018.
But his stint was far from ideal, with the then 19-year-old tearing his anterior cruciate ligament on debut.
Arzani is well aware he'll need regular game time at club level ahead of the 2026 tournament as he weighs up a potential move.
"Any of the boys that are looking to move are off contract. I think that thought process will be in their head," Arzani said.
"It's a big deal, a World Cup. It's massive. Everyone wants to be a part of it. It's going to be very competitive.
"We know we've got a lot of talent as well coming out of Australia, so I think it's definitely important that if I go, I'll be playing weekly."
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