Ángel Javier Arizmendi

Javier Arizmendi

Personal information
Full name	Ángel Javier Arizmendi de Lucas
Date of birth	3 March 1984 (1984-03-03)
Place of birth	Madrid, Spain
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Playing position	Forward / Winger
Club information
Current club	Getafe
Number	14
Youth career
	Atlético Madrid
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2003–2004	Atlético B	27	(11)
2004–2006	Atlético Madrid	5	(0)
2004–2005	→ Racing Santander (loan)	22	(3)
2006–2007	Deportivo La Coruña	50	(7)
2007	Atlético Madrid	0	(0)
2007–2008	Valencia	30	(1)
2008–2010	Zaragoza	69	(14)
2010–	Getafe	20	(2)
2011–2012	→ Neuchâtel Xamax (loan)	10	(3)
National team
2003	Spain U20	5	(1)
2004–2006	Spain U21	8	(0)
2005	Spain U23	4	(1)
2007	Spain	1	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 5 February 2012. † Appearances (Goals).

This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Arizmendi and the second or maternal family name is De Lucas.

Ángel Javier Arizmendi de Lucas (born 3 March 1984) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Getafe CF as either a forward or winger.

Club career

Born in Madrid, and a product of local 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 fellow league side 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 Aragonese 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.

Along three other teammates, Arizmendi was released from contract by the Super League team on 6 January 2012. He played his first game in his second spell on 4 February, playing 24 minutes and being booked in a 0–1 home loss against Real Madrid.

International career

In 2003, without having played any football at the highest level, Arizmendi was called-up to the under-20 side 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.

Controversy

During the 2005 Mediterranean Games, 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.

Honours

Valencia

• Copa del Rey: 2007–08

Spain U20

• FIFA U-20 World Cup: Runner-up 2003

Spain U23

• Mediterranean Games: 2005

External links

• BDFutbol profile
• National team data (Spanish)
• Javier Arizmendi – FIFA competition record