Daniel Arzani

Daniel Arzani (Persian: دانیال ارزانی‎; born 4 January 1999) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder and winger for AGF, on loan from Manchester City, and the Australian national team.[3]

Daniel Arzani
Arzani playing for Melbourne City in 2018
Personal information
Full name Daniel Arzani[1]
Date of birth (1999-01-04) 4 January 1999
Place of birth Khorramabad, Iran[2]
Height 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)[3]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Winger
Club information
Current team
 AGF
(on loan from Manchester City)
Number 19
Youth career
2009–2011 Coogee United
2011–2013 Eastern Suburbs
2014–2015 FFA CoE
2015–2016 Sydney FC
2016–2017 Melbourne City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2015 FFA CoE 20 (2)
2016–2017 Melbourne City NPL 6 (1)
2016–2018 Melbourne City 24 (2)
2018– Manchester City 0 (0)
2018–2020 → Celtic (loan) 1 (0)
2020–2021 → Utrecht (loan) 4 (0)
2020–2021 → Jong Utrecht (loan) 6 (1)
2021– → AGF (loan) 0 (0)
National team‡
2014–2015 Australia U17 7 (1)
2017 Australia U20 1 (0)
2017– Australia U23 1 (0)
2018– Australia 6 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 26 January 2021
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 8 November 2018

Club career

Sydney FC

Daniel Arzani played for the youth team of Sydney FC in 2016.[4]

2016–17 season

Arzani started playing for Melbourne City in 2016.[5] On 28 January 2017, Arzani scored a goal for Melbourne City Youth in the Grand Final to win the 2016–17 A-League National Youth League.[6]

2017–18 season

On 6 January 2018 during their 2017–18 season, Arzani was brought on as a substitute with the senior side and provided two assists in a 2–1 comeback win against Wellington Phoenix FC.[7][8] He provided two more assists in his first senior start on 9 January against Perth Glory FC.[9] Arzani scored his first A-League goal on 25 January 2018 against Newcastle Jets FC.[10] After just four starts from his club's 18 league games, Arzani led his team for the most successful dribbles with 31.[11] He won the A-League player of the month award for his performances in January.[12] By April 2018, Arzani led the league in successful dribbles with 89, provided the most assists out of all under-23 players in the league, and was nominated for the A-League Young Footballer of the Year award.[13] At the conclusion of the season, it was announced that he won the award.[14][15] He was subsequently named in the A-League Team of the Season.[16] In July 2018, Arzani won the Harry Kewell Medal for the best Australian male under-23 player.[17]

Manchester City

On 9 August 2018, Arzani moved from Melbourne City to fellow City Football Group club Manchester City, with his new club indicating they intended to loan him to another side.[18]

Loan to Celtic

On 17 August 2018, Arzani was loaned to Scottish champions Celtic on a two-year loan deal.[19] Arzani scored a free kick for the Celtic Academy on 17 September 2018 against Aberdeen.[20] He was given his first team debut by manager Brendan Rodgers on 31 October 2018 in a Scottish Premiership match against Dundee.[21] He suffered a torn ACL on debut, ruling him out for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and the rest of the Celtic season, as well as the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship.[22][23] Arzani made his return from injury on 17 September 2019 in a Celtic reserves match against Hibernian.[24] He made his return to the Celtic first team on 18 January 2020 under manager Neil Lennon in a Scottish Cup match against Partick Thistle.[25]

Loan to Utrecht

On 7 August 2020, Arzani joined Dutch Eredivisie side FC Utrecht on loan ahead of their 2020–21 season.[26] He made his club debut in a friendly match against the Go Ahead Eagles the following day on 8 August 2020.[27] He provided his first assist for the club in his following friendly match against AFC Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena on 13 August 2020 and made his Eredivisie debut in their opening match at VVV-Venlo on 18 September 2020.[28] He had his first assist in the Eredivisie from a corner on 27 September 2020 during his next match against RKC Waalwijk.[29] Arzani subsequently made his Jong Utrecht debut on 19 October 2020 against Jong Ajax before making his Dutch Cup debut for the senior team against FC Dordrecht on 27 October 2020 with an assist to Sander van de Streek.[30] Arzani scored his first goal for Jong Utrecht on 4 December 2020 in a league match against Almere City FC.[31]

Loan to Aarhus

On 26 January 2021, Arzani joined AGF in the Danish Superliga on loan during the 2020–21 season.[32] He scored a goal on his club debut in a friendly match against AC Horsens on 3 February 2021 and made his league debut against Lyngby on 7 February 2021.[33][34]

International career

Youth

Arzani has played for Australia at the under-17, under-20 and under-23 levels, and was called into Australia's 2014 AFC U-16 Championship and 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup squads.[35] Due to his Iranian heritage, Arzani was eligible to represent both Iran and Australia at international level. In February 2018, Arzani stated that he was leaning more towards representing Australia over Iran.[36]

Arzani returned to the under-23 team in October 2019 for Australia's Olympic qualifying preparations ahead of the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship.[37] Manager Graham Arnold stated Arzani would be missing the tournament due to his ongoing recovery process before noting that he could be added to their Olympic squad should Australia qualify.[23][38]

Senior

At the age of 19, Arzani was called into Australia's preliminary squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup on 7 May 2018.[39] He made his international debut for Australia as an 84th-minute substitute for Mathew Leckie in a friendly match against the Czech Republic on 1 June 2018.[40] He was named in Bert van Marwijk’s final 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup the following day, becoming the youngest ever Australian player in a World Cup squad as well as the youngest player overall at the 2018 World Cup.[41][42] Arzani scored his first international goal for Australia one minute after being substituted on in the next friendly match for a 2–1 win against Hungary on 9 June 2018.[43] He made his World Cup debut on 16 June 2018 as an 84th minute substitute against France.[44] At the age of 19 years and 163 days he became the youngest player to ever make a World Cup appearance for Australia.[45] Arzani was used as a substitute in all three World Cup matches against France, Denmark and Peru.[46]

Style of play

Arzani has been praised for his quick speed and skillful dribbling, capable of playing across either wing or in behind the striker.[47] He played street football and futsal from a young age.[2][48]

Outside football

Personal life

Born in Iran to Sima and John Arzani along with his brother Ben, Daniel moved to Australia with his family at the age of seven and was raised in Sydney before moving to Melbourne.[2][49][50] He is fluent in English and Persian.[35] Arzani is a former student of Sydney Boys High School and La Trobe University.[51][52]

Sponsorship

Arzani has a contract with American sportswear supplier Nike.[53]

Career statistics

Club
As of 25 May 2020[5]
Club Division Season League Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
FFA Centre of Excellence NPL Capital Football 2014 12100–121
2015 8100–81
Total20200–202
Melbourne City Reserves NPL Victoria 2 2016[54] 1000–10
2017[55] 5100–51
Total6100–61
Melbourne City A-League 2016–17 6010–70
2017–18 18220–202
Total24230–272
Celtic Scottish Premiership 2018–19 10000010
2019–20 00100010
Total10100020
FC Utrecht Eredivisie 2020–21 40100050
Jong FC Utrecht Eerste Divisie 2020–21 61000061
Career total 5655000615

International
Statistics accurate as of match played 8 November 2018.[56]
Australia
YearAppsGoals
201861
Total61

International goals
As of 9 June 2018 Scores and results list Australia’s goal tally first.[5]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 9 June 2018Groupama Arena, Budapest, Hungary2 Hungary1–02–1Friendly

Honours

Club

Melbourne City

Individual

References
  1. "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia: List of players: Australia" (PDF). FIFA. 10 June 2018. p. 2. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  2. Lynch, Joey (14 May 2018). "From Khorramabad to Kazan? The making of Daniel Arzani". The Daily Football Show. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  3. "Daniel Arzani". Melbourne City FC. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  4. Thomas, Josh (6 April 2018). "Daniel Arzani not surprised by Socceroos snub but vows allegiance to Australia". Goal.com. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  5. Daniel Arzani at Soccerway. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  6. "Melbourne City crowned Foxtel NYL Champions". MyFootball.com.au. Football Federation Australia. 28 January 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  7. Harrington, Anna (7 January 2018). "Daniel Arzani inspires Melbourne City to a 2-1 comeback Victory over Wellington Phoenix". Fox Sports Australia. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  8. McKay, Ben (6 January 2018). "Teen star Daniel Arzani inspires lifeless Melbourne City to barely deserved victory over Wellington Phoenix". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  9. "Perth Glory v Melbourne City video, highlights: Daniel Arzani stars with two assists in win". Fox Sports Australia. 10 January 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  10. "Melbourne City force late draw against Newcastle Jets". ESPNFC.com. Australian Associated Press. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  11. "Daniel Arzani close to Socceroos World Cup selection, says Graham Arnold". Goal.com. 28 January 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  12. "Arzani named PFA Player of the Month". Melbourne City FC. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  13. "NAB Young footballer of the year nominee: Daniel Arzani". A-League.com.au. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  14. Smithies, Tom (30 April 2018). "Dolan Warren Awards: Mierzejewski wins Johnny Warren; Kerr, Polkinghorn split the Dolan". The Daily Telegraph.
  15. "Arzani named top young footballer". Australian FourFourTwo. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  16. "PFA's A-League Team of the Season dominated by premiers Sydney FC". ESPNFC.com.au. Australian Associated Press. 2 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  17. Colangelo, Anthony (3 July 2018). "PFA honours Arzani, Kerr, Okon and Mooy at awards night". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  18. "City sign Daniel Arzani from Melbourne". Manchster City. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  19. "Daniel Arzani signs for Celtic on two-year loan deal". Celtic FC. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  20. "Socceroos news: Daniel Arzani scores first goal for Celtic with fantastic free-kick - Goal.com". www.goal.com.
  21. "Daniel Arzani injury ACL: Celtic, Socceroos latest news, Brendan Rodgers, Tom Rogic goal video". 1 November 2018.
  22. "Daniel Arzani confirms he will need operation on torn ACL". ABC News. 6 November 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  23. https://wwos.nine.com.au/football/arzani-s-knee-rehab-going-slowly-arnold/9b0e0f31-295f-4cdb-86f2-e5009699044b
  24. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/daniel-arzani-makes-celtic-return-20082980
  25. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/partick-thistle-vs-celtic-live-21306968
  26. https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/socceroo-arzani-joins-fc-utrecht-on-loan
  27. "Arzani makes debut for FC Utrecht". The World Game. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  28. https://www.skysports.com/football/vvv-venlo-vs-utrecht/431750
  29. "Aussies Abroad: Taggart nets a hat-trick, Arzani gets first assist". Socceroos. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  30. http://www.football-oranje.com/knvb-cup-first-round-twente-out-as-utrecht-and-heerenveen-progress/
  31. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match?gameId=574669
  32. "DANIEL ARZANI LEAVES FC UTRECHT". FC Utrecht. 26 January 2021.
  33. https://www.agf.dk/klubben/nyhedsarkiv/2021/februar/reservetest-mod-ach/
  34. https://www.espn.com/soccer/matchstats?gameId=575824
  35. Williams, Paul (5 April 2018). "Carlos Queiroz keeping eye on wonderkid Daniel Arzani". Fox Sports Asia. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  36. Lynch, Michael (5 February 2018). "Arzani would jump at chance to be part of Socceroos squad if called up". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  37. https://www.espn.com/football/story/_/id/27762931/arnold
  38. https://www.espn.in/football/australia-aus/story/4036871/celtics-daniel-arzani-eyes-olyroos-return-should-they-get-to-tokyo
  39. Francis, Kieran (7 May 2018). "Socceroos World Cup squad: Daniel Arzani named in Australia's 32-man list of players for Russia". Goal.com. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  40. "Australia warm up for World Cup with record-breaking rout of Czech Republic". The Guardian. 1 June 2018.
  41. "Socceroos World Cup squad makes history". Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  42. "Socceroo Arzani the World Cup's youngest - The World Game". Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  43. "World Cup warm-up match: Hungary 1-2 Australia". BBC Sport. 9 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  44. Bossi, Dominic (16 June 2018). "Australia first to fall to VAR in brave loss to France". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  45. Atkinson, Guy (16 June 2018). "France 2 Australia 1: Historic Griezmann goal and Pogba secure slender win". Goal.com.
  46. FIFA.com. "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ - Players - Daniel ARZANI - Daniel Arzani". www.fifa.com.
  47. "FIFA 18 World Cup update: Daniel Arzani handed new Socceroos player rating - Goal.com". Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  48. "Daniel Arzani - Player Statistics". SportsTG. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  49. "Socceroos rising star chose football over neurosurgery — now football is choosing him". 4 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  50. headspaceAustralia. "headcoach - Daniel Arzani" – via YouTube.
  51. "High Notes, Vol 15 No 26, August 22 2014 - Sydney Boys High School". www.sydneyboyshigh.com. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  52. "Kilkenny wins top City gong". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  53. Bossi, Dominic (13 June 2018). "Arzani sticks by Nike despite the company withdrawing boots to Iran". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  54. "Daniel Arzani". Football Federation Victoria. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  55. "Daniel Arzani". Football Federation Victoria. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  56. "Daniel Arzani". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman.
  57. "City crowned NYL champions". The World Game. 28 January 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
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