The friendly series against Korea Republic and Lebanon gave the Socceroos a taste of what they can expect when they get to the United Arab Emirates for January’s Asian Cup.

Arnold’s 4-3-3 system is a departure from Ange Postecoglou with the troublesome right back position now in greater health thanks to the form of Joshua Risdon and Rhyan Grant.

The gap left by the departure of Mile Jedinak is something to consider with Mustafa Amini and Massimo Luongo showing they are capable.

While Martin Boyle’s goals against Lebanon may add more ammunition to the Socceroos strike force, the absence of goals by Tomi Juric and Jamie Maclaren is problematic.

Even so, Arnold was confident that there are exciting times ahead.

“I just have this real strong belief that something special is coming, he said.

“Probably the best thing I’ve done is have six or seven weeks travelling around Europe because you don’t work that much with the players compared to club land.

“I feel and see there is competition for places, the players are coming through, the kids are coming through and I’m excited.”

Arnold was also thrilled about how his three pronged attack is shaping up and even though Reds winger Craig Goodwin missed out, the Socceroos boss revealed he is still in the mix.

“The system that we are playing with the three nines, when you analyse the game against South Korea, what is so strong about it, is it made them play six at the back,” he said.

“That system gives you flexibility and gives you speed and you can’t stop speed.

“Regarding Craig, I see him every week and he is doing excellent. He gives us something different as an out and out left-footed winger.

“Andrew Nabbout played at the World Cup and he has come back from injury and I wanted to have a good look at him

“Martin Boyle I wanted to see over the 90 minutes. Mathew Leckie I wanted to look at him at number nine.”

Before the Socceroos kick of their Asian Cup campaign on January 6 against Jordan, the Aussies will have one more chance to smooth any rough edges revealed Arnold.

“We will probably have one game in Dubai [against Oman] around December 30th or 31 just to give us that last hit out,” he said.

“Some of the things we can improve upon are things like feeding the pockets.

“We get the ball from the right hand side and we keep it there too long and we don’t come out and go to the other side, also the  fullbacks and the timing of their runs.

“Rhyan Grant made one run in behind the defence and he was offside. Players need to see that quicker. Aziz Behich got in behind a number of times well

“So it’s just about the finer details. Their hunger to learn is outstanding and I’m enjoying the details with these boys. “