Francesc Arnau, a life dedicated to football

Blaugrana youth squad

Francesc Arnau was born in the Girona municipality of Las Planas. He stood out as a goalkeeper in the lower categories of FC Barcelona and made his debut in the first team in 1996 against Atlético de Madrid.

Photo:
DAILY AS
DAILY AS

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European Under 21 MVP

The goalkeeper performed at an exceptional level in the tournament won by the Spanish National Team in 1998. In the 13 matches he played, he only received 7 goals and his interventions were decisive to win the European.

Photo:
Juan Navarro
AS newspaper

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Champions League debut

On October 19, 1999, Arnau started the group stage match between Barça and Arsenal in London. Despite conceding 2 goals, the Catalan goalkeeper had a great game and the Blaugrana won by 2 goals to 4.

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Shaun botterill
Getty Images

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His only Classic

On February 26, 2000, Arnau started at the Santiago Bernabéu. A match in which Real Madrid won by 3 goals to 0. In the image Arnau stops a shot from Morientes.

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Signing for Málaga

In the summer of 2000 he signed for Málaga CF. Despite the investment from Malaga, 2 million euros, he did not play any game until March 2003.

Photo:
PACO RODRIGUEZ
DAILY AS

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Playing in Malaga

Since 2003 he alternated the title with the bench and settled as a starter in 2005-06, the year that Málaga was relegated. He continued to alternate his position between the bench and the Malaguista goal until 2011.

Photo:
RODOLFO MOLINA
DAILY AS

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Playing in Malaga

Since 2003 he alternated the title with the bench and settled as a starter in 2005-06, the year that Málaga was relegated. He continued to alternate his position between the bench and the Malaguista goal until 2011.

Photo:
PEPE ANDRES
DAILY AS

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Farewell to professional football

On May 21, 2011, Arnau played his last match as a professional. Fate or chance wanted it to be against Barça, the club where it was formed. He received a nice tribute from his teammates and from the Malaguista fans.

Photo:
JON NAZCA
REUTERS

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Farewell to professional football

On May 21, 2011, Arnau played his last match as a professional. Fate or chance wanted it to be against Barça, the club where it was formed. He received a nice tribute from his teammates and from the Malaguista fans.

Photo:
PACO RODRIGUEZ
DAILY AS

Posted to

Farewell to professional football

On May 21, 2011, Arnau played his last match as a professional. Fate or chance wanted it to be against Barça, the club where it was formed. He received a nice tribute from his teammates and from the Malaguista fans.

Photo:
PACO RODRIGUEZ
DAILY AS

Posted to

Sports Director of Málaga

After his retirement he began to work in the direction of La Academia del Málaga. In December 2015, he was promoted to the club's sports director, replacing Mario Husillos.

Photo:
MARIANO POZO
DAILY AS

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Sports Director of Málaga

After his retirement he began to work in the direction of La Academia del Málaga. In December 2015, he was promoted to the club's sports director, replacing Mario Husillos. In 2018 he was dismissed from his position and replaced by his predecessor Mario Husillos

Photo:
MARIANO POZO
DAILY AS

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Sports Director of Oviedo

In December 2019 he signed with Real Oviedo as head of the sports management of the Asturian club. After a first year marked by the stoppage of confinement due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Carbayón club was in half a table and in the following season, in which expectations were high, the team was closer to the relegation zone than of ascent.

Photo:
ELOY ALONSO
DAILY AS

Posted to

Sports Director of Oviedo

In December 2019 he signed with Real Oviedo as head of the sports management of the Asturian club. After a first year marked by the stoppage of confinement due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Carbayón club was in half a table and in the following season, in which expectations were high, the team was closer to the relegation zone than of ascent.

Photo:
ELOY ALONSO
DAILY AS

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