Arnold's agent Richard Briggs told au.fourfourtwo.com that he was unsure of his client's whereabouts since the 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast last week, a result which ended the Australians' campaign with one point and one goal from three group matches.

"That was the last time I had correspondence from him [after the Ivory Coast game]."

Asked if Arnold would front the Australian football media at some point and he replied: "I'm sure. He's got nothing to hide."

The former Northern Spirit coach should be in London today as an assistant coach to national team boss Pim Verbeek ahead of the Socceroo friendly with South Africa this week.

Arnold spoke briefly to journalists, as part of the mandatory post match press conference in China, after the 1-0 loss to the Africans.

"We had nerves in our first game, but against Argentina we were outstanding and we were outstanding again today," Arnold said.

"The difference in the game was Kalou. He's a big player and he made all the difference today. We've had problems scoring with this team. This is generally a problem with all levels of Australia's national teams."

However, Australian football journalists have yet to be given a chance to question the coach on his failed campaign, style of football, selections or on his quote that "this is generally a problem with all levels of Australian teams".

And with the focus now on the Socceroos over the next month and beyond and the kick off to the A-League, many are concerned that Arnold will get away without having to answer for a campaign that yielded one point and one goal (from a midfielder, Ruben Zadkovich).

Arnold's side also lost three of its warm up games in Asia ahead of the campaign in China.

The FFA have once again been forced into defending the hapless Arnold, who has a contract with the FFA till 2010. Head of public affairs Bonita Mersiades reportedly said the FFA felt some fans would feel the Olyroos played well in China.

"People are entitled to their view and for every person who thinks that the team played poorly at the Olympics there will be another who says that it played well," she said.

"We did not say that we are champions of the world. All we said was that we would like our teams to win, which is not unreasonable. Why else would we go there?"

FFA CEO Ben Buckley added: "The Olympic football tournament tells us we are on the right track in putting resources and effort into identifying, developing and retaining talented young players.

"Arnold's position is unchanged. He is a valued member of the national coaching team as one of two assistant coaches to Pim Verbeek, a role he will hold until mid-2010."