Javier Arizmendi Explained

Javier Arizmendi
Fullname:Ángel Javier Arizmendi de Lucas
Birth Date:3 March 1984
Birth Place:Madrid, Spain
Height:1.89 m
Position:Forward, winger
Youthclubs1:Atlético Madrid
Years1:2003–2004
Caps1:28
Goals1:10
Years2:2004–2006
Caps2:5
Goals2:0
Years3:2004–2005
Clubs3:Racing Santander (loan)
Caps3:22
Goals3:3
Years4:2006–2007
Caps4:50
Goals4:7
Years5:2007–2008
Caps5:30
Goals5:1
Years6:2008–2010
Caps6:69
Goals6:14
Years7:2010–2013
Caps7:22
Goals7:2
Years8:2011–2012
Clubs8:Neuchâtel Xamax (loan)
Caps8:13
Goals8:4
Years9:2012–2013
Clubs9:Mallorca (loan)
Caps9:21
Goals9:2
Years10:2013–2015
Caps10:17
Goals10:2
Totalcaps:277
Totalgoals:45
Nationalyears1:2003
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2004–2006
Nationalcaps2:8
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2005
Nationalcaps3:4
Nationalgoals3:1
Nationalyears4:2007
Nationalcaps4:1
Nationalgoals4:0

Ángel Javier Arizmendi de Lucas (born 3 March 1984) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played either as a forward or winger.

He played 181 La Liga matches over nine seasons, scoring a combined 20 goals for Atlético Madrid, Racing de Santander, Deportivo, Valencia, Zaragoza, Getafe and Mallorca.

All youth levels comprised, Arizmendi earned 13 caps for Spain. He appeared once with the full side.

Club career

Born in Madrid, and a product of local Atlético Madrid's youth system, Arizmendi made his La Liga debut for the first team on 15 February 2004, in a 1–3 away loss against FC Barcelona.[1] The following season, he played on loan with fellow league club Racing de Santander.[2]

As opportunities were scarce at Atlético, Arizmendi was signed by Deportivo de La Coruña for 2 million, on 3 January 2006. The Colchoneros bought him back according to a clause in the contract[3] but, on 21 June 2007, he joined Valencia CF on a six-year deal.[4]

During 2007–08, Arizmendi's physical style of play was occasionally put to use at right back due to injuries to habitual Miguel and Marco Caneira.[5] On 23 March 2008, he scored his first Valencia goal in a 3–2 win at Real Madrid,[6] while also helping the Che to the campaign's Copa del Rey.[7] [8]

On 12 August 2008, Arizmendi was signed by Real Zaragoza for roughly €4 million on a six-year contract.[9] In his debut year, he was instrumental as the Aragonese returned to the top flight after just one year out, netting nine times in the league alone.[10]

On 30 June 2010, after greatly helping Zaragoza retain their status – 31 games, five goals,[11] 2,064 minutes – Arizmendi signed for six years with Getafe CF, qualified for the UEFA Europa League.[12] In August of the following year, however, after an unassuming season and the arrival of new manager Luis García, he moved to Neuchâtel Xamax in Switzerland on a season-long loan.[13]

Along three other teammates, Arizmendi was released from contract by the Super League team on 6 January 2012.[14] He played his first match in his second spell on 4 February, appearing 24 minutes and being booked in a 0–1 home loss against Real Madrid.[15]

International career

In 2003, without having played any football at the highest level, Arizmendi was called up to the Spain under-20 team that competed at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates, where he scored an extra time winner over Canada in the quarter-finals after coming on as a substitute.[16] The nation went on to finish as runner-up.

He made his debut for the senior side in a friendly against England on 7 February 2007, playing the final 25 minutes in a 1–0 victory at Old Trafford.[17]

Controversy

During the 2005 Mediterranean Games, Arizmendi controversially celebrated the nation's gold medal carrying a Spanish flag which hailed from the days of Francisco Franco's fascist dictatorship. The player argued it was thrown from the stands at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos, and that he did not notice the emblem on it.[18]

Personal life

After retiring, Arizmendi took a Master's degree in private banking.[19]

Honours

Valencia

2007–08

Spain U20

Spain U23

2005[20]

Notes and References

  1. News: El Barça se gusta ante el Atlético. Barça like themselves against Atlético. El País. Ramon. Besa. Spanish. 16 February 2004. 22 May 2019.
  2. News: Arizmendi llegará a Santander en calidad de cedido. Arizmendi will arrive to Santander on loan. Diario AS. J.. Del Olmo. Spanish. 20 August 2004. 22 May 2019.
  3. Web site: Arizmendi to make Atlético return. UEFA. 30 May 2007. 25 May 2010.
  4. Web site: Valencia signs striker Javier Arizmendi from Deportivo. Reuters. 22 June 2007. 22 June 2007.
  5. Web site: El Zaragoza refuerza su ataque con Arizmendi. Zaragoza bolster attack with Arizmendi. Merca Fútbol. Xavier. Prera. Spanish. 13 August 2008. 4 November 2015.
  6. Web site: Real Madrid 2–3 Valencia. https://web.archive.org/web/20121026132943/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/226391?cc=5739. dead. 26 October 2012. ESPN Soccernet. 23 March 2008. 4 August 2011.
  7. Web site: Cup triumph salvages Valencia season. UEFA. 16 April 2008. 8 April 2016.
  8. News: Una Copa para el perdón. A Cup for forgiveness. El Mundo. Miguel Ángel. Herguedas. Spanish. 17 April 2008. 8 April 2016.
  9. News: Arizmendi ficha por el Zaragoza. Arizmendi signs for Zaragoza. El Mundo. Spanish. 13 August 2008. 4 November 2015.
  10. News: Arizmendi: "Pasar por el banquillo te hace cambiar". Arizmendi: "A trip to the bench makes you change". Heraldo de Aragón. Chema. R. Bravo. Spanish. 26 March 2009. 4 November 2015.
  11. News: Arizmendi no se siente feliz por ser el máximo goleador. Arizmendi is not happy with being top scorer. El Periódico de Aragón. Spanish. 1 April 2010. 4 November 2015.
  12. News: Arizmendi ficha por seis temporadas. Arizmendi signs for six seasons. Diario AS. Javier. Hernández. Spanish. 30 June 2010. 8 January 2017.
  13. Web site: Les rouge et noir passent à l'offensive. The red-and-black go offensive. Neuchâtel Xamax. French. 4 August 2011. 4 August 2011. 28 September 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110928152213/http://www.xamax.ch/news-detail.php?idnews=454. dead.
  14. News: El Neuchatel Xamax despide a Arizmendi. Neuchatel Xamax fire Arizmendi. Marca. Jaime. Rincón. Spanish. 6 January 2012. 1 February 2012.
  15. Web site: Madrid sneak past Getafe. https://archive.today/20120715142035/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/323837?cc=5739. dead. 15 July 2012. ESPN Soccernet. 4 February 2012. 4 February 2012.
  16. Web site: Arzimendi strikes gold for Spain. UEFA. 12 December 2003. 25 May 2010.
  17. Web site: England 0–1 Spain. BBC Sport. John. Sinnott. 7 February 2007. 4 November 2015.
  18. News: La jugada del 'empollón'. The "nerd"'s play. El Mundo. Spanish. 8 January 2007. 7 October 2009.
  19. News: Arizmendi ajusta cuentas tras el fútbol. Arizmendi opens a new account after football. Marca. Pablo. Egea. Spanish. 7 January 2017. 8 January 2017.
  20. Web site: Mediterranean Games 2005 (Spain). Erik. Garin. RSSSF. 27 September 2016.