He signed for the Flaming Wodkas (then known as Renaissance FC) back on the 13th of October, 2011. Some say the 13 was significant, as his signing was certainly unluck for some, but Psycho brought his fair share of good fortune too being one of only a handful of players to make a successful transfer between HTUM Federation teams and became a household name even among fans of other clubs around the globe.
Back then, in the early days, Sami was one of a handful of players who were given sponsorships by other Federation clubs who tracked their progress while they trained in Raszków. Perhaps the most famous of these was Sami's partner-in-crime Edi 'EC10' Çelaj.
"Edi was always a natural born leader, but we were both blessed with technical ability and I guess that's why the Renaissance board sanctioned our transfers. We were both purchased for the minimum amount possible, I recall, but we both played for MS Odense together following our dual-transfer in April of 2012, and of course Edi went on to play for the Falcons of Prague with a brief return here to Raszków as a goodbye stint to the fans." - Sami 'The Psycho' Arsal
Sami was quite rightly given the nickname 'The Psycho' quite early on in his career much for the bite of his tongue as much as the bite of his tackles. Sami also went on to make a career off the field in the action movie industry, while Edi had a huge sponsorship deal with Danish cola company Jolly Cola.
Nowadays though, Sami is working as a part of the Wodkas' coaching staff, switching between helping out as assistant coach and being in charge of player form. "I'm quite good at motivating the players," he joked as I interviewed him at the Sprezzatura Playing Fields. What I really wanted to know though, was who Sami thought were the players set to have an impact in the future, for whatever reason.
"The players I have in mind aren't necessarily the ones who will make the most progress, with the exception of 'Crazy Foot'."
Crazy Foot, is the nickname given to Heorhii Choban by Sami himself, following Sami's observation of the youngster's talent with a ball in the academy.
"Yeah, I called him Crazy Foot almost from the first session I saw him. He has the same technical ability as myself and Edi had back in the day, and I see a lot of myself in the lad. Unfortunately, he has the same sort of temperament as me so I'll have to lend some special Sami wisdom to him - sometimes I speak before I think you know. Never harmed me too much though," he smiles.
Alongside Choban, Sami outlined three players at different stages of their development and of slightly different ages. Recently signed from the closing Crazy Horses Football Club in Barbados, Steve 'Bajan Bugatti' James was picked out by Sami as being the future of the Wodkas attacking midfield. "This youngster's pace is frightening... if he gets trained the way we want him to be, he is going to end up playing in the GL Masters' final. Some might laugh when I suggest Wodkas can get to the final, but Sami says Wodkas will win that final before I retire from coaching, and not just once."
A bold statement. It's true that many would disagree, or at least distance themselves from such a statement so early in the Wodkas development, especially given the track record of the club. Though with the now closing Crazy Horses having reached the GL Masters' Final in the previous season, perhaps the chairman's vision has shifted. Sami also picked out Namdar 'Hurricaine' Hussain (signed from Mighty Karak Chai FC) and Michal 'Zlatý Sokol' Kočař (signed from Horus Falcons).
"Nam and Mich are both solid kids, you know - they listen to the managers' instructions without fault and know what the Federation means, more than some of the homegrowns coming through the ranks, and more than some of the purchased players. All credit to all those players, but as someone who has experienced Golden League from behind more than one team badge, Hussain and Kočař have a unique perspective that will prove invaluable in the long run.
I finished, by asking why Sami felt Wodkas had a chance of GL Masters' glory in the future.
"It's simple, I might not be playing any more but I see a new Sami in a Wodkas shirt now, with slightly more talent than I had, and the same 'do or die' attitude that I brought onto the pitch in every match, whether it be in Raszków or Odense, or even Lincoln Barrows. "Mark my words... Crazy Foot will become more famous than Sami 'The Psycho' Arsal'... well, 'as' famous at least," and he laughed before showing me around the training grounds one final time before I left.
