Talking Points: Graham Arnold's latest Socceroos squad update

As Australia's rematch with Argentina approaches, we caught up with Subway Socceroos Head Coach Graham Arnold for his latest update on how preparations are progressing. 

Watch the video above or read on to find out the inside scoop ahead of our clash with the reigning World Champions in Beijing on June 15.

On recently catching up with Argentina Head Coach Lionel Scaloni in Qatar: 

"It was fantastic. I was standing out on the balcony just outside a restaurant, when he (Scaloni) saw me he came over and gave me a hug and shook my hand and he said that we were the hardest game that they had a World Cup, and he couldn't believe the fighting side of our performance and how technically good we were. He was just raving about how well we did and was very appreciative of the game." 

On what he is looking to get out of the upcoming game v Argentina: 

"Revenge! There's no such thing as a friendly in my view, every time we put on that national team shirt it's about winning and performing the best of your ability. I felt during the Argentinian game we did exceptionally well and a couple of mistakes let us down. But it's an opportunity in this game to move forward and move on and there is no better way than being able to play the World Champions. To play against Messi and test some of our younger players and give them that experience of what it takes to get to the top level. It's the first time the Socceroos have done this, playing against a World Champions straight after a World Cuo, so it's certainly a fantastic experience and one I'm extremely looking forward to." 

On speaking to the players about the upcoming game, and what the squad might look like: 

"As soon as it was announced, the players were texting me and ask if it's real, that we're playing Argentina in Beijing, in China. Obviously they're coming off the back of a long season and after the World Cup and we've got a lot in front of us so some of the older players will probably not be selected because they need a break and also they're carrying some injuries. So we'll pick the right squad to give players that opportunity.

But everyone's excited to get back together for the first time since the Ecuador games, they were two fantastic games, so we're looking forward to playing one year on from the night we qualified with that penalty shootout against Peru. So the June window is our 'shock the world' window!"

On longer-term preparations for the Asian Cup and next World Cup cycle: 

"I think that the best preparation is always to play the best. You can play easy teams and you win three, four or five nil and everyone's raving about that but you're not learning from your mistakes. For me that's the biggest thing - getting better and better as we move forward and giving these younger players that opportunity to be on field with the best. The belief that gives players, they feel like they belong with the best, and that's so important."

On the significance of Australia being asked to play against Argentina in China: 

"When I heard about it, and heard what's going on, I didn't really believe it. It just shows where we're at, but let's not rest on that because I think that we've got so much more to improve on. If we want to get into the top 10, top 20, then a lot needs to improve in our country.  To have Argentina reaching out and wanting to play us in a friendly game, that shows the respect that we've got around the rest of the world, but maybe we need more respect in this country."