Gasperini has named him on the bench four times in Serie A matches but is yet to deploy him in the league, although that moment might not be too far away.
“I’ve already learnt a lot,” Arena said. “He won many games and raised many strong players, I want to continue working and I hope to continue like this.”
The question remains: which nation will he choose to represent at international level?
Antonio Arena, Australia’s latest prodigy in Italy.Credit: Getty Images
A former academy member of the Western Sydney Wanderers, Arena has played youth international football for both Australia and Italy, who he qualifies for through family ties.
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Last year, he became the youngest-ever goalscorer for Serie C club Pescara, prompting him to be nicknamed Il Baby Bomber by Italian media and a clamour for his services by some of Italy’s biggest clubs, which was won by Roma, who signed him for a reported $1.78 million transfer fee.
Arena’s trajectory is reminiscent of that of Volpato, another player who was born and raised in Sydney, exited the Australian system to fast-track his development in Italy, and made an unexpectedly early debut for Roma.
Volpato, 22, who now plays for Roma’s Serie A rivals Sassuolo, turned down the chance to play for Graham Arnold’s Socceroos at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and appears to be holding out for the opportunity to represent the Azzurri.
It seems the Socceroos have a fight on their hands to avoid a repeat of that situation and win the allegiance of Arena, who looks destined for big things.
