ACL test big distraction for Roar: Arnold
Feb 1, 2017 - 2:14 AM The anticipation of next week's mammoth Asian Champions League play-off with Shanghai Shenhua could prove Brisbane's A-League undoing against Sydney FC, predicts Graham Arnold.With just 10 games now standing between the Sky Blues and an undefeated season, Arnold has placed his squad in "siege mentality" for Friday night's visit to Suncorp Stadium.
But he was also quick to plant the seed that the third-placed Roar's looming battle in China may distract John Aloisi's side and play right into the runaway leader's hands.
Having thumped Philippines outfit Global FC 6-0 on Tuesday night, Brisbane must back up three days later against Sydney before the long flight for Tuesday's do-or-die clash with Carlos Tevez's cashed-up Shanghai.
It's part way through a hellish 13-day run during which they play five games.
"It can be (a distraction), but I'm not bothered," Arnold said.
"Whatever they put in front of us, we have to win.
"It's a short turnaround for them, they've got a long flight to Shanghai and are playing against a very strong team that would have a lot of ambition to be in the Champions League.
"And no doubt that's Johnny's ambition as well as Brisbane's.
"I saw he rested a lot (of players) last week and they've got a huge game for Australian football next Tuesday in Shanghai."
Despite sitting 11 points clear at the summit, Arnold again demanded more from his team who "won the dogfight" with Melbourne Victory last week but did not exhibit their best football.
With that in mind, he's been working them "extremely hard" in training over this eight-day turnaround in the knowledge Brett Holman's Brisbane will present another challenging examination of their high standards.
Everyone is fit, but while the squad regain right-back Rhyan Grant on return from suspension they lose left-back Michael Zullo for the same reason.
"It's working well at the moment - it's one in, one out not two in, two out," Arnold said.
"As we showed last week, we've got plenty of depth and cover.
"I've got David Carney, who's played 46 times for the national team and has played probably 40 of those games at left-back.
"I've got Rhyan Grant who can play at left-back and (Aaron) Calver can stay at right-back.
"It's about us going up there with a siege mentality of us against the rest and making sure we put in our best performance."
Meanwhile, Sydney remain hopeful of signing another player before the January transfer window closes but must do so by the end of Wednesday.
Source: AAP
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