He’s still battling a bit of Jetlag but new Western Sydney Wanderers striker Oriol Riera hopes to play against Premier League giants Arsenal on Saturday night.
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Riera has been in Australia for just a week since signing a two-year marquee deal at ‘Wanderland’, taking part in only a handful of training sessions with his new teammates.
GETTING A CRACK AT THE GUNNERS
“I hope to play,” Riera said.
“It’s a big game for us and for the fans and I hope I’m on the field.
“It’s an international game and we can put on the field all the things we have been working on every day in training and it’s a big game to improve.
“They [Arsenal] are a good club and have some top players. For us we want to concentrate to play our football to try and make it very difficult for Arsenal.”
“I hope the fans will have a good game with goals, with good passes and good football.
DECIDING TO JOIN THE WANDERERS
Riera played the last four seasons in La Liga with Deportivo La Coruna and Osasuna but opted to swap Spain for Sydney for a fresh start and new challenge in his career.
“I’m here to learn about this league and this country and to say to the Spanish people and the Spanish players to come here and to know about this football,” he said.
“It’s different but for us it’s important to know different types [of football].
“It’s a big change for me and my family but I take a decision that I need to change and that I need to leave La Liga. For me it’s a pleasure to be here and know other football.
“I want to enjoy again to play football, to play games, win games. That’s why I’m here. I want to enjoy playing football, the life and all the things you can do here.”