Happy with what he saw in the 3-0 victory in Kuwait as Australia kicked off their qualification campaign for Qatar 2022 in some style, Arnold is committed to handing significant minutes to the bulk of his 23-man party.
Regulation victories are expected against the Group B minnows, and Arnold wants to see how deep his talent pipeline extends, starting against Nepal in Canberra on October 10 and in Taipei five days later.
Having previously confirmed that Celtic’s Tom Rogic will be given a leave pass for his impending marriage and to continue his recent return to action from a knee injury, Arnold has also all but given up on handing a maiden call to Hull City defender Callum Elder as he recuperates from a calf strain.
The left-back’s time, though, will surely come.
Arnold does, however, welcome back skipper Mark Milligan who was forced to fly back to League One Southend for treatment on a hamstring tweak ahead of the Kuwait clash.
With Nepal capitulating 7-0 against Kuwait in their opening qualifier, Arnold sees this as the perfect time to shake things up ahead of the more difficult examinations which await further down the road against the likes of Jordan.
The October games offer Adam Taggart, who laboured hard in Kuwait City without reward, the podium on which to build some goal momentum.
Arnold was pleased with the free-scoring K-League striker’s contribution and is expecting him to make his mark during the qualification campaign.
Meantime, midfielder Massimo Luongo, whose drop down the pecking order has raised a few eyebrows, should get the chance to prove his prowess again.
Awer Mabil, who started behind Freiburg’s Brandon Borrello, will also expect to make a more meaningful contribution.
Key men Aaron Mooy and Mathew Leckie - whose goals put paid to Kuwait - may not start both games while Mustafa Amini, Craig Goodwin - who has made a flying start in Saudi Arabia - and in-form Ajdin Hrustic are all certain to feature at some point.
There should also be a full debut for Fleetwood Town stopper Harry Souttar, with left-back Brad Smith also likely to pick up game time.
Melbourne City’s Jamie Maclaren - whose team begin their A-League season on October 12 - will be named, along with Sydney FC’s Andrew Redmayne, with the Sky Blues away in Adelaide a day after the Socceroos’ Canberra date.
