Australia’s recurring issue under Arnold was an inability to break down teams who sit back in a low block (or a ‘parked bus’), which is exactly what China will do on Thursday night. Too often, the Socceroos have depended on crosses, long balls and set pieces as an avenue to goal, with very little central play through midfield and an absence of creativity in the final third. The debate was about whether this was down to a lack of quality personnel or Arnold’s tactics – but the debate is over because Arnold is gone, and it’s up to Popovic to find solutions.

In his unveiling press conference, Popovic spoke of how the Socceroos needed to be more “dynamic” in attack and move the ball quicker. He also dismissed suggestions that Australia lacked the requisite playing talent to be playing any better than what they have been. The pressure’s on, now, so we will see.

How will the midfield look?

The return of Ajdin Hrustic and Riley McGree will give Popovic some different options in the middle of the park, although he’d have another compelling one if it wasn’t for the injury which forced Massimo Luongo out of this squad. Hrustic and McGree have the kind of game-breaking ability that has been lacking in the Socceroos of late; Arnold’s usual pairing of Keanu Baccus and Jackson Irvine as holding midfielders were outstanding at the 2022 World Cup, but neither player is particularly comfortable with the ball in tight spaces, and so a shake-up may be needed to help create better patterns of play.

What about the fullbacks?

Right-back has been a problem position for the Socceroos for many years – in fact, a lack of options was one of the reasons why Ange Postecoglou used that controversial three-at-the-back formation in 2017. Last window, Arnold put natural centre-back Alessandro Circati there, and unsurprisingly, he didn’t offer much going forward.

A change will be made because Circati has unfortunately done his ACL, but the inclusion of Jason Geria – last picked for Australia in 2016, and constantly overlooked by Arnold – suggests Popovic, his coach at Melbourne Victory until only a few months ago, knows what he wants there.

Indeed, the Socceroos need more from their fullbacks in attack, which brings us to Jordan Bos, who is also back from injury. Arnold liked to use him on the left wing to harness his physical gifts and attacking sensibilities – but Craig Goodwin can play there, and the reality is that Bos is a natural left-sided fullback who can probably fill that position for the Socceroos for the next decade. Is it time to put him there and leave him there?

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Does Irankunda come off the bench or start?

The Bayern Munich sensation is yet to debut for the Bundesliga club’s senior team and remains a work in progress, but he is probably Australia’s best attacking player already. However, he’s still only 18, and the challenge will be using his strengths without burdening him with too much expectation.

Arnold used him as a super-sub against Bahrain and then started him against Indonesia (as a striker, too, next to Mitchell Duke), but he couldn’t find the breakthrough in either game, largely because he was being asked to perform individual miracles within a dysfunctional collective. It’ll be intriguing to see how Popovic handles him.