'I've given my best': Graham Arnold faces down critics as Socceroos prepare for final World Cup qualifier

Win, lose, or draw, the Socceroos' fate in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers is set.

But that's not the case for the team's beleaguered coach, Graham Arnold.

The Socceroos play Saudi Arabia in Jeddah early on Wednesday morning knowing they will finish third in their qualifying group behind the Saudis and Australia's conquerors last Thursday, Japan.

Their journey to Qatar will now follow the more circuitous route, firstly against the third-placed team in the other Asian group – likely Iraq or the United Arab Emirates – and then, if they win, the Socceroos will play another sudden death match against the fifth-placed South American side.

However, Graham Arnold's position as head coach is not so certain, despite being contracted until the end of the year.

Football Australia is canvassing options about how to approach the sudden-death matches, including sticking with Arnold or sacking him and installing a new coach.

The head body understands the difficulty Arnold has faced over the past few months as COVID and injury have wreaked havoc with his preparations and squad selection.

The 34-year-old Uruguay-born striker has been called up to Graham Arnold's injury-ravaged squad.

But he didn't do himself any favours by breaching his COVID isolation order last week to go for a walk along the beach. Football Australia bosses were incensed and fined him $25,000, which he donated to a flood relief charity.

It was a weary Arnold that faced the media on Monday, batting away questions about his future and the criticism of his coaching style.

«I wouldn't say it's been the last couple of weeks, I'd say it's probably been the last couple of years,» he said of the criticism.

«But it is what it is; it's made me a much stronger person.»

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