Graham Arnold says he's playing the long game with Alex Robertson and Alessandro Circati after the promising pair were left out of his Socceroos squad for the Asian Cup.
The European-based duo are two of Australia's most prodigious talents, but will remain with their clubs rather than boarding a flight to Qatar in January.
Circati, 20, is chasing promotion to the Italian top flight with Parma, while Robertson, also 20, has had a breakout season at high-flying English League One side Portsmouth while on loan from Manchester City.
