Revealed: Arnie's squad for the Asian Cup

Huddersfield Town have said Mooy has been ruled out of action until February with a medial ligament injury to his knee – but MRI scans seen by the FFA don't appear to back that diagnosis.

The FFA have sent physic Phil Coles and an independent specialist for a second opinion assessment of the injury.

Arnold insisted Mooy had been driving the call up to the squad as he was desperate to be a part of the Socceroos' defence of their 2015 crown.

"Aaron has asked for the second opinion and for the medical staff to go over and look at him," said Arnold. "Huddersfield have been fantastic.

"We want what's best for the kid, he wants to go to the Asian Cup. The communication has been fantastic. Phil Coles will look at him tomorrow.

"He believes he will be ready and so do we."

He added: "Aaron wants an independent specialist's advice. It's one step at a time and the process we have to go through."

In a worst case scenario, FFA coaching staff believe Mooy would at least be fit in time for the crucial knockout stages of the competition.

Arnold added that he has around a dozen players on standby as back ups to be called in as late injury replacements if needbe before the final deadline of January 5.

Another injury doubt, Tom Rogic, has been cleared to play without any further concerns.

Arnie added: "The Wizard of Oz will be there.I spoke to him last night and he'll be ready."

He dismissed concerns of a repeat of his 2007 Asian Cup Socceroos campaign which ended in defeat against Thailand, despite having the coach having the cream of the Golden Generation at his call.

Arnold has inherited the job from Guus Hiddink after the 2006 World Cup and it was his first head coach role...but as he later admitted, it came too early in his coaching career.

"I was a different coach," he said today. "I had curly hair and a moustache. I don't dwell on the past. I made a lot of mistakes then but I can only learn from them."

Today's squad features three current A-League players – Josh Risdon (Western Sydney Wanderers FC), Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC), and Chris Ikonomidis (Perth Glory FC).

“Our squad blends youth with experience,” Arnold said. “Individually and collectively the players are determined to excel at the tournament and following the three positive camps that we have had since September I know that Australia will enter the Asian Cup with the best camaraderie in the competition.

“It is exciting that 15 of the 23 players in the squad will be being attending their first Asian Cup, and I am expecting that Australian fans will see some great performances from our kids throughout the tournament.

“In the short amount of time I have had in charge, I feel that we have come a long way, and we will travel to the UAE expecting to win every match and ultimately lift the trophy in early February in Abu Dhabi.”

Perth Glory flyer Chris Ikonomidis has earned his place at the expense of Tomi Juric through his stellar performances in the A-League, while Juric has struggled for game time with Luzern.

“Chris has made a great start to his time at Perth Glory under Tony Popovic and it has been his form in the Hyundai A-League that has sealed his place in the squad,” said Arnold.

“Chris will add pace and energy to our attack, which is the consistent feature of the players that we have picked in the Socceroos’ attack for this tournament.

“We will play energetic, high-intensity football in the UAE, and the rapid attackers we have selected including Chris, Mathew Leckie, Robbie Kruse, Awer Mabil, Martin Boyle, Andrew [Nabbout], and Jamie [Maclaren] will enable us to implement our style.”

Squad | Australia | AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™