NEWCASTLE Jets have brought in an interpreter to help Abdiel Arroyo get a better understanding of the playing systems as they prepare to unleash the Panamanian against Melbourne Victory in the FFA Cup round-of-32 tie at AAMI Park on Wednesday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Julio Rubio, a Sydney-based Spaniard who works for a management company that organised the Jets' pre-season trip to Madrid last year, has spent the past two days in Newcastle.
He has assisted coach Ernie Merrick during one-on-one sessions with Arroyo, both on the field and watching video.
The 25-year-old striker, who has 47 caps for his country and played at the last World Cup, will play off the bench against Victory.
Rubio also spent time in Newcastle when Arroyo first arrived and helped him settle into the new surroundings.
"Abdiel has 10 days training under his belt now and has showed some really good signs," Jets assistant coach Clayton Zane said. "With him, it is understanding the system and tactics we are trying to employ. The language is going to prove a bit of a barrier. But football is the world game, and one thing he knows how to do is get in the box and get on the end of things. There is already good chemistry between Arroyo and some of our wide, attacking players. We are all excited to see what he can do against decent opposition. In saying that, we are so early in pre-season that the expectation and demands on him we will try to control a little bit."
Arroyo takes the No.9 shirt from Irishman Roy O'Donovan, who scored 20 goals in 35 appearances for the Jets, and is now leading the line for the Brisbane Roar.
"He has a very powerful strike with his right boot, but the big thing that stands out is the athleticism," Zane said about the Panamanian. "Watch him when he runs and his ability to use his physical presence to control opposition defenders, and also get in behind with his speed. There are times in the game where he likes the ball to come to feet. He can muscle up against two centrebacks, keep the ball at his feet and bring the wingers into play. He is a bit of a link man, but the big thing we want from him is to use his speed to get in behind. That is the first option for us."
The Jets have progressed past the round of 32 once and are yet to beat A-League opposition in the cup.
"We would love nothing more than to go on a big cup run and potentially win it," Zane said.
Jets 4-2-1-3: Lewis Italiano; Matt Millar, Lachy Jackson, Nickolai Topor-Stanley (c), Johnny Koutroumbis; Steve Ugarkovic, Angus Thurgate; Dimi Petratos; Nick Fitzgerald, Kaine Shepherd, Jason Hoffman.