Name To Remember: Marko Arnautovic

By: chris | March 20th, 2009

This is borderline name to remember/name you soon won’t forget.

It seems we can’t go a day without being bombarded by the hype machine of the “new so and so”. From the new Kaka – all one hundred thousand of them – to the new Franz Beckenbauer to the new Patrick Vieira (anyone of African origin who speaks French and plays central midfield). It’s all just so nauseating and, to a degree, careless.

Except when it’s not – when it’s perfectly spot on. Meet Marko Arnautovic, who isn’t just the new Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he’s his clone.

They both stand 1.92m and they’re both from Balkan parentage – Marko’s father is Serbian (mother is Austrian) and Zlatan is Bosnian & Croatian. They both play as strikers but with inclinations toward the wing, particularly for Zlatan when younger, and would rather dribble their opponent – or six – than be fed perfect service. They’re both powerful and strong, able to win any header, but with exceptional technique rarely found in big men. They’re both very much showman with a propensity for the spectacular and the cocky attitude to match. And neither has scored in a World Cup or Champions League knockout.

It’s hard to define how similarly they play without watching an FC Twente game. It’s remarkable – almost as though Marko is consciously trying to mirror a hero (altogether possible). And even with all this he isn’t assured Zlatan’s superstar status. He still has the mental attributes of a 19 year old and his decision making does leave something to be desired – particularly if the accusations of racism against him this week hold any truth. (He’s denying and it appears anything but cut and dried.)

But really, he’s exquisitely talented to the point that Real, Barcelona, Juventus and Milan – and we musn’t forget Arsenal – are all deciding not if they’ll jump, but when. Playing that right forward/wing position in Twente’s 4-3-3, he’s already scored eleven goals this year despite starting one and scoring none last year, while also making his full international debut for Austria.

And if he’s even half of Ibrahimovic, with Marc Janko and Arnautovic, Austria may have a hell of a strike force for years to come. Who knew?

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Category: Name to Remember, World Football

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John

FYI: Arnaut was the Turkish name for Albanians, "ic" is the Serbianized name.
Rahul

hey hes 19 years old ibra was like him at the start i remember watching him when he was about 21 poor decision making. look at ibra now he has grown and become one of the best strikers, you have to give this kid some time
Zac

A good article and a great summary of Arnautovic's attributes. I was glancing at the Eredivise top scorers charts and was drawn in by his exceptional goal tally for a player of such a young age, and with so little experience playing at this level.

I agree that Arnautovic needs to develop mentally in order to progress further and FoleyIsGood definatly has a point in saying that Arnautovic seems to miss some really good chances!

However, Arnautovic is still young and with more playing time he may well develop the level of composure needed at all times during games at this standard.

In any case, he certainly looks to me like a huge prospect for the future. It'll certainly be intresting to see where Arnautovic is playing in a couple of years!
Foreverzidane

Sorry but don't see it. Ibra is way more dominant than this kid.
chris

Of course he is. Theme of the week.
vince cmarko

marko arnautovic is not from baltic parentage, but from balkan parentage.
FoleyIsGood

Judging by the YouTube vid, this kid sure can miss chances and do fancy tricks that don't quite come to anything... ;o) (though you could have said the same of Slave just a few years back)

I'm sure you're right, you'd have to watch an FC Twente game to get it.
hommeyer

i recently saw someone likened as the new Cesc Fabregas...can we institute a policy that the player compared to has to be at least 30 before you can say there's a new one?