Arnautovic chosen to spearhead Austria attack at World Cup as Wanner and Chukwuemeka join ranks

Arnautovic chosen to spearhead Austria attack at World Cup as Wanner and Chukwuemeka join ranks
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Austria have locked in the thirty seven year old striker to anchor a seasoned group that features captain David Alaba and Marcel Sabitzer as the nation returns to the global finals following a twenty eight year wait.

Alongside this veteran presence coach Rangnick has introduced fresh faces with the recent addition of new citizens Paul Wanner and Carney Chukwuemeka.

The two dual national midfielders who feature for PSV Eindhoven and Borussia Dortmund respectively pledged their futures to Austria earlier this year and now feature in the tournament party.

While options in midfield look plentiful the manager encountered major issues when picking central defenders which left several established players disappointed.

Extended absences through injury hampered Feyenoord defender Gernot Trauner and Werder Bremen defender Maximilian Wober. Even though both resumed club duties in April the coach judged them not yet ready for full intensity.

Ultimately we chose on the basis of prior knowledge and what is required across a lengthy event such as this where we aim to progress as far as we can at the World Cup.

We looked to call the top players yet also those who suit our approach.

Austria are placed in Group J and open their campaign versus Jordan prior to clashes with Argentina and Algeria.

Austria squad for the World Cup:

Goalkeepers: Patrick Pentz (Brondby), Alexander Schlager (Red Bull Salzburg), Florian Wiegele (Viktoria Plzen)

Defenders: David Affengruber (Elche), David Alaba (Real Madrid), Kevin Danso (Tottenham Hotspur), Marco Friedl (Werder Bremen), Philipp Lienhart (Freiburg), Phillipp Mwene (Mainz), Stefan Posch (Mainz), Alexander Prass (Hoffenheim), Michael Svoboda (Venezia)

Midfielders: Christoph Baumgartner (RB Leipzig), Carney Chukwuemeka (Borussia Dortmund), Florian Grillitsch (Braga), Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich), Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund), Xaver Schlager (RB Leipzig), Romano Schmid (Werder Bremen), Alessandro Schopf (RZ Pellets WAC), Nicolas Seiwald (RB Leipzig), Paul Wanner (PSV Eindhoven), Patrick Wimmer (VfL Wolfsburg)

Forwards: Marko Arnautovic (Crvena Zvezda), Michael Gregoritsch (Augsburg), Sasa Kalajdzic (LASK)