Young gun Daniel Arzani has been a regular in Warren Joyce pre-season plans thus far and the talented forward says it will mean nothing unless he keeps his high standards week-in week-out.
Arzani’s spot kick after 21 minutes on Friday night was enough to separate the sides in Shepparton as City continued to work towards October 6’s season opener with a win over Western Sydney.
Despite regulars Bruno Fornaroli, Nick Fitzgerald and Tim Cahill not playing a part in the match, Arzani didn’t look out of place during the contest, winning the penalty to give his side the match-winning goal and says his focus this pre-season has been to impress with every opportunity he gets.
“It’s always good to get out there with the boys. I’m really grateful for every game I get to play for the Club and just try to do the best I can whenever I am given a chance to,” Arzani said.
“I’ve been training with the squad for a while now. The match intensity was quite high and it was a good hit out for us despite all the circumstances.
“I’m looking for a breakthrough season. I want to get as much game time as possible, score goals and help the boys win games.
“It’s essential that everyone is ready for Round 1 to set the tone for the rest of the season and we go on from there.”
The competition for places in the squad has been intense this pre-season and will continue to be during the season proper but that hasn’t fazed Arzani, with the starlet knowing what he has to do to take his game to the next level.
“I think it’s the work I do off the ball that will count,” he said.
“It’ll be about making sure I can keep my concertation defensively, making forward runs and playing a role in the side.
“I think one of the main things to taking it to the next level is working on your deficiencies and being a bit more all-rounded.
“That’s what I’ve been working on this pre-season and working on my defensive side of the game and keeping up with the rest of the boys.”
Arzani and City have one more pre-season match against Adelaide United behind closed doors in South Australia before returning to prepare for our season opener on Friday 6 October.
