Ángel Javier Arizmendi
Encyclopedia
Ángel Javier Arizmendi de Lucas (born 3 March 1984) is a Spanish
professional footballer who plays for Neuchâtel Xamax
on loan from Getafe CF
, as either a forward or winger.
, and a product of Atlético Madrid's youth system, Arizmendi made his top level
debut for the side on 15 February 2004, in a 1–3 away loss against FC Barcelona
. The following season, he played a season on loan with Racing de Santander
.
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, but, on 21 June 2007, he was signed by Valencia CF
, on a six-year deal.
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
. On 23 March 2008, he scored his first Valencia goal in a 3–2 win at Real Madrid
, while also helping the Che to the season's domestic cup
.
On 12 August 2008, Arizmendi was signed by Real Zaragoza
for €4 million, on a six-year contract. In his debut year, he was instrumental as the Aragon
ese returned to the first division after just one year out, netting nine times in the league alone.
On 30 June 2010, after greatly helping Zaragoza retain its division status
– 31 games, five goals, 2,064 minutes – Arizmendi signed for six years with Getafe CF
, qualified for the UEFA Europa League. 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.
that competed at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
in the United Arab Emirates
, where he scored an extra time winner against Canada
in the quarterfinals, after coming on as a substitute. Spain finished runner-up.
He made his international debut for the senior side
in a friendly against England
, on 7 February 2007, playing the final 30 minutes in a 1–0 triumph at Old Trafford
.
, 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.
Spain U20
Spain U23
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
professional footballer who plays for Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax Football Club is a Swiss football club, based in Neuchâtel. It was created in 1970 through a merger between FC Cantonal and FC Xamax . The club plays in red shirts, black shorts and red socks and are currently in the Axpo Super League, the highest Swiss football league. They play...
on loan from Getafe CF
Getafe CF
Getafe Club de Fútbol is a Spanish La Liga football club based in Getafe, a city in the Madrid metropolitan area, founded in 1946 and refounded in 1983.In the top level since 2004-05, it holds home games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez....
, as either a forward or winger.
Club career
Born in the capital, MadridMadrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, and a product of Atlético Madrid's youth system, Arizmendi made his top level
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
debut for the side on 15 February 2004, in a 1–3 away loss against FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
. The following season, he played a season on loan with Racing de Santander
Racing de Santander
Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators....
.
As opportunities were scarce at Atlético, Arizmendi was signed by Deportivo de La Coruña
Deportivo de La Coruña
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
for €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
2 million, on 3 January 2006. The Colchoneros bought him back according to a clause in the contract, but, on 21 June 2007, he was signed by Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
, on a six-year deal.
During 2007–08, Arizmendi's physical style of play was occasionally put to use at right-back, due to injuries to habitual Miguel
Miguel Monteiro
Luís Miguel Brito Garcia Monteiro, simply Miguel , OIH , is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Valencia CF in Spain, mainly as a right defender.-Early years / Benfica:...
and Marco Caneira
Marco Caneira
Marco António Simões Caneira is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Videoton FC in Hungary. He preferably plays as a central defender, but is equally at ease on the right or the left flank....
. On 23 March 2008, he scored his first Valencia goal in a 3–2 win at Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
, while also helping the Che to the season's domestic cup
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
.
On 12 August 2008, Arizmendi was signed by Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points...
for €4 million, on a six-year contract. In his debut year, he was instrumental as the Aragon
Aragon
Aragon is a modern autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. Located in northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces : Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel. Its capital is Zaragoza...
ese returned to the first division after just one year out, netting nine times in the league alone.
On 30 June 2010, after greatly helping Zaragoza retain its division status
2009–10 La Liga
- Personnel and sponsoring :- Before the start of the season :- During the season :-League table:||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|...
– 31 games, five goals, 2,064 minutes – Arizmendi signed for six years with Getafe CF
Getafe CF
Getafe Club de Fútbol is a Spanish La Liga football club based in Getafe, a city in the Madrid metropolitan area, founded in 1946 and refounded in 1983.In the top level since 2004-05, it holds home games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez....
, qualified for the UEFA Europa League. In August of the following year, however, after an unassuming season
2010–11 La Liga
The 2010–11 La Liga season was the 80th since its establishment. The campaign began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 21 May 2011. A total of 20 teams contested the league, 17 of which already contested in the 2009–10 season and three of which were promoted from the Segunda División...
and the arrival of new manager Luis García
Luis García Plaza
Luis García Plaza is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a central defender, and the current manager of Getafe CF.-Playing career:In his career, García never played in higher than Segunda División B...
, he moved to Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax Football Club is a Swiss football club, based in Neuchâtel. It was created in 1970 through a merger between FC Cantonal and FC Xamax . The club plays in red shirts, black shorts and red socks and are currently in the Axpo Super League, the highest Swiss football league. They play...
in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, on a season-long loan.
International career
In 2003, without having played any football at the highest level, Arizmendi was called-up to the Under-20 sideSpain national under-20 football team
The Spain national under-20 football team represents Spain in international football at this age level and is controlled by Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain.-FIFA World Youth Championship Record:...
that competed at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in United Arab Emirates between November 27 and December 19, 2003. The 2003 championship was the 14th contested...
in the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
, where he scored an extra time winner against Canada
Canada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
in the quarterfinals, after coming on as a substitute. Spain finished runner-up.
He made his international debut for the senior side
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
in a friendly against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
, on 7 February 2007, playing the final 30 minutes in a 1–0 triumph at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
.
Controversy
During the 2005 Mediterranean GamesFootball at the 2005 Mediterranean Games
The football competition at the 2005 Mediterranean Games was won by Spain. The competition took place between June 23, with the final being held on July 3, 2005. 9 teams participated in this event:These nine teams were sorted into three groups of three teams...
, Arizmendi controversially celebrated the nation's gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
carrying a Spanish flag
Flag of Spain
The flag of Spain , as it is defined in the Spanish Constitution of 1978, consists of three horizontal stripes: red, yellow and red, the yellow stripe being twice the size of each red stripe...
which hailed from the days of Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975...
's fascist
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
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.
Honours
Valencia- Copa del ReyCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: 2007–08
Spain U20
- FIFA U-20 World CupFIFA U-20 World CupThe FIFA U-20 World Cup, until 2005 known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, is the world championship of football for male players under the age of 20 and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association...
: Runner-up 20032003 FIFA World Youth ChampionshipThe 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in United Arab Emirates between November 27 and December 19, 2003. The 2003 championship was the 14th contested...
Spain U23
- Mediterranean GamesMediterranean GamesThe Mediterranean Games are a multi-sport games held every four years, mainly for nations bordering the Mediterranean Sea, where Europe, Africa and Asia meet. The idea was proposed at the 1948 Summer Olympics by Muhammed Taher Pasha, chairman of the Egyptian Olympic Committee, and they were first...
: 2005Football at the 2005 Mediterranean GamesThe football competition at the 2005 Mediterranean Games was won by Spain. The competition took place between June 23, with the final being held on July 3, 2005. 9 teams participated in this event:These nine teams were sorted into three groups of three teams...