The 2017/18 Y-League player of the year, D’Arrigo was a part of a select U18 Young Socceroos squad that triumphed at the 2019 AFF U18 Championships in August; Gary van Egmond’s side downing Malaysia 1-0 in the final.

Turning 18 in September, the former West Torrens Birkalla youth has since been able to turn the momentum from that successful international run into back-to-back starts in Adelaide United’s opening games of the A-League season.

Asensio's Screamer Vs FC Barcelona
Asensio's Screamer Vs FC Barcelona
In one of Real Madrid's most outstanding performances at the Camp Nou, Los Blancos beat FC Barcelona 3-1 in the Spanish Supercup. Real were leading 2-1 after Cristiano Ronaldo's 80th minute goal, but just before the final whistle, we sealed the win with this beautiful Marco Asensio strike.
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“For sure it’s good to be starting games,” D’Arrigo told FTBL.

“Especially the first two games of the season. Would much rather be two wins as well, but it’s alright, I think the results will come, we just need to be patient.

“I’m taking it game by game; just trying to get better and better and used to the speed. I think I’m finding it well and fitting in well but there’s always more.

“Everyone is giving me advice, the coaching staff and, of course, everyone in the team. I’ve got Vinny [Vince Lia] giving me advice every day as well as the centre backs. Riley gives me advice every day as well.

“It’s a good confidence boost because it shows if you train well you get your opportunity.”

With a wave of injuries crashing over the Reds in the first weeks of the season – Head Coach Gertjan Verbeek was able to field just three outfield players on his bench against Melbourne City on Sunday – the odds are high that D’Arrigo will continue to see the field in some capacity when United and City clash once more in the FFA Cup final tonight. 

Having not featured in the Reds run to the Cup in 2018, D’Arrigo told FTBL he was looking forward to potentially getting his own chance to experience the #MagicOfTheCup.

“It’s gone well,” he said of the Cup run.

“I played in the semi-final, which I thought went alright. The team has done well to get into the final but now it’s up to the coach to see who he picks.

“Coopers is a great venue to play at and hopefully the crowd is there to back it up.”