2021–22 Arema F.C. season explained

The 2021–22 Arema F.C. season is Arema's 32nd competitive season. The club will compete in Indonesia League 1. Arema Football Club a professional football club based in Malang, East Java, Indonesia. The season covers the period from 21 January 2021 to 31 March 2022.

Squad information

First team squad

Transfers

In

		Player	Transferred From	Fee	Date	Source
17		Sandy Ferizal	Free agent	Free		[1]
6		Ikhfanul Alam	Badak Lampung	Free		[2]
77		Wiga Brillian	Free agent	Free
33		Didik Ariyanto	PSCS	Free
35		Muhammad Roby	Persekat	Free		[3]
44		Ikhwan Ciptady	Persikabo 1973	Free		[4]
11		Feby Eka Putra	Persija	Free		[5]
24		Diego Michiels	Borneo	Free		[6]
90		Adilson Maringá	Vilafranquense	Free		[7]
8		Renshi Yamaguchi	Lampang	Free
9		Carlos Fortes	Vilafranquense	Free		[8]
13		Hamzah Titofani	Youth sector	Promoted		[9]
78		Bramntio Ramadhan	Youth sector	Promoted
20		Achmad Galih	Youth sector	Promoted
18		Muhammad Faiz	Youth sector	Promoted
4		Sérgio Silva	Feirense	Free		[10]
7		Ryan Kurnia	Sulut United	Free		[11]

Out

		Player	Transferred To	Fee	Date	Source
4		Syaiful Indra Cahya	Muba Babel United	Free		[12]
26		Taufik Hidayat	PSIM	Free
12		Hendro Siswanto	Borneo	Free		[13]
56		Titan Agung	Bhayangkara	Free		[14]
44		Nur Diansyah	Borneo	Free		[15]
15		Alfin Tuasalamony	Madura United	Free
42		Ganjar Mukti	Persiraja	Free
35		Muhammad Roby	Persiraja	Free		[16]
8		Bruno Smith	Águia Negra	Free		[17]
95		Caio Ruan	Free agent	Free
44		Ikhwan Ciptady	Sriwijaya	Free		[18]
—		Ricga Tri Febiyan	Free agent	Free		[19]
17		Sandy Ferizal	Persela	Free
92		Dave Mustaine	PSS	Free		[20]
—		Wiga Brillian	Free agent	Free
1		Utam Rusdiana	Free agent	Free

Loan In

		Player	Loaned From	Start	End	Source
77		Genta Alparedo	Semen Padang			[21]
29		Sandi Sute	Persis			[22]
15		Fabiano Beltrame	Persis

Loan Out

		Player	Loaned To	Start	End	Source
1		Utam Rusdiana	Persekat			[23]
77		Wiga Brillian	Hizbul Wathan
—		Wiga Brillian	PSKC
96		Kartika Ajie	RANS Cilegon			[24]
96		Kartika Ajie	Barito Putera			[25]

Review and events

This season will be the first season for the coach Carlos Oliviera having been appointed as Arema's coach on 17 September 2020 to replace Mario Gómez who resigned in August 2020.^[26] Last season Arema FC was in the 12th position before the season competition 2020 was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia until finally canceled by PSSI after being delayed several times by referring to the results of the PSSI Executive Committee (Exco) meeting which took place virtually on 20 January 2021.^[27] However, on 7 February 2021 Arema management will not renew the head coach contract Carlos Oliviera. Carlos Oliviera contract itself will expire on 17 February 2021 and after that date he will be relieved of duty.^[28] And the temporary position of head coach was replaced by assistant coach Kuncoro during the pre-seasons tournament 2021 Menpora Cup.^[29] On 3 May 2021, Arema officially announced a new coach namely Eduardo Almeida.^[30]

Arema also experienced the longest unbeaten run in the 2021–22 season for 23 matches. Started in week 4 against PSIS Semarang with a 0–0 draw and had to stop in week 27 when they lost in the Super East Java Derby against Persebaya Surabaya with a final score of 1–0.^[31] At the end of the season, Arema placed 4th in the Liga 1 standings for the 2021–22 season.^[32]

Pre-seasons and friendlies

Friendlies

Date	Opponents	H / A	Result F–A	Scorers	Attendance
6 March 2021	Arema U20s	N	7–2	Brillian (2), Seiya, Rizky, Jayus, Dedik (2)	0
15 March 2021	Madura United	H	2–2	Dedik (2)	0
29 May 2021	Malang Selection	H	8–0	Dedik (2), Hanif, Feby, Brillian, Ferizal, Tegar, Tito	0
6 June 2021	RANS Cilegon	H	6–2	Feby 11', Dedik 35', Dave 46', Gonzáles 53' (o.g.), Dendi 74', Tito 90+7'	0
12 June 2021	Hizbul Wathan	N	4–2	Ridwan 5', Dedik (2) 10', 81' (pen.), Dave 85'	0
19 June 2021	Arema U20s	N	5–1	Hanif 40', Dedik (2) 50', 85', Kushedya (2) 60', 79'	0
19 August 2021	PSIM	A	0–1		0
21 August 2021	Persis	N	0–0		0

Menpora Cup

See main article: 2021 Menpora Cup.

Group stage

Date	Opponents	H / A	Result F–A	Scorers	Attendance	Group position
21 March 2021	Persikabo 1973	N	1–1	Dendi 82'	0	3rd
25 March 2021	Barito Putera	N	1–2	Feby 54'	0	3rd
30 March 2021	PSIS	N	2–3	Dedik (2) 9', 67' (pen.)	0	4th

Match results

Liga 1

See main article: 2021–22 Liga 1.

Matches

Date	Opponents	H / A	Result F–A	Scorers	Attendance	League position
Series 1 (Jakarta, West Java & Banten)
5 September 2021	PSM	A	1–1	Hanif 22' (pen.)	0	7th
12 September 2021	Bhayangkara	H	1–1	Dendi 72'	0	12th
19 September 2021	PSS	A	1–2	Alfarizi 34'	0	14th
25 September 2021	PSIS	H	0–0		0	14th
29 September 2021	Persipura	A	1–0	Fortes 7'	0	10th
3 October 2021	Persela	H	3–0	Fortes (2) 17', 22', Rafli 34'	0	6th
Series 2 (Central Java & Special Region of Yogyakarta)
17 October 2021	Persija	A	1–0	Fortes 33'	0	4th
23 October 2021	Persiraja	A	2–0	Rafli 4', Fortes 56'	0	4th
27 October 2021	Persita	H	2–2	Kushedya 25', Dedik 45+1'	0	4th
1 November 2021	Madura United	A	2–1	Kushedya 50', Rizky 90'	0	3rd
6 November 2021	Persebaya	H	2–2	Fortes 11' (pen.), Rafli 21'	0	3rd
Series 3 (Central Java & Special Region of Yogyakarta)
19 November 2021	Persik	A	3–2	Fortes 33' (pen.), Alfarizi 43', Feby 45+3'	0	3rd
23 November 2021	Barito Putera	H	2–1	Fortes 47' (pen.), Rafli 88'	0	3rd
28 November 2021	Persib	A	1–0	Dendi 17'	0	2nd
5 December 2021	Bali United	H	0–0		0	3rd
10 December 2021	Borneo	A	2–1	Fortes (2) 66', 72'	0	2nd
5 January 2022	Persikabo 1973	H	0–0		0	2nd
Series 4 (Bali)
9 January 2022	Bhayangkara	A	1–0	Rizky 20'	0	2nd
13 January 2022	PSS	H	2–0	Kushedya 53', Dendi 56'	0	1st
17 January 2022	PSIS	A	0–0		0	2nd
28 January 2022	Persipura	H	1–0	Fortes 30'	0	1st
1 February 2022	Persela	A	1–0	Ridwan 90'	0	1st
5 February 2022	Persija	H	1–1	Fortes 57'	0	2nd
10 February 2022	Persiraja	H	1–1	Fortes 48' (pen.)	0	1st
15 February 2022	Persita	A	2–0	Fortes (2) 45', 67'	0	1st
18 February 2022	Madura United	H	1–0	Fortes 15'	0	1st
23 February 2022	Persebaya	A	0–1		0	2nd
27 February 2022	Persik	H	0–1		0	3rd
Series 5 (Bali)
5 March 2022	Barito Putera	A	2–1	Rafli 18', Fortes 36'	0	3rd
9 March 2022	Persib	H	1–2	Jayus 54'	0	5th
15 March 2022	Bali United	A	1–2	Fortes 33' (pen.)	0	5th
20 March 2022	Borneo	H	2–2	Alfarizi (2) 52', 74'	0	5th
24 March 2022	Persikabo 1973	A	3–1	Rizky 62', Alfarizi 69', Fortes 82'	0	5th
30 March 2022	PSM	H	1–0	Fortes 86'	0	4th

League table

Statistics

Squad appearances and goals

|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center|Goalkeepers|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center|Defenders|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center|Midfielders|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center|Forwards|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center|Players transferred or loaned out during the season the club |}

Top scorers

The list is sorted by shirt number when total goals are equal.

width=10		width=10		width=10		width=200	Player	width=50	Liga 1	width=50	Total
1	FW	9	Carlos Fortes	20	20
2	FW	10	Muhammad Rafli	5	5
	DF	87	Johan Alfarizi	5	5
4	DF	12	Rizky Dwi Febrianto	3	3
	MF	41	Dendi Santoso	3	3
	FW	99	Kushedya Hari Yudo	3	3
7	MF	11	Feby Eka Putra	1	1
	MF	14	Jayus Hariono	1	1
	MF	16	Ridwan Tawainella	1	1
	MF	19	Hanif Sjahbandi	1	1
	FW	27	Dedik Setiawan	1	1
Total				44	44

Notes and References

1. Web site: Mengupas Potensi 3 Pemain Lokal Baru Arema FC, Perjudian Berani Singo Edan. Bola.com. 4 March 2021. id . 4 March 2021.
2. Web site: Ikhfanul Alam Jadi Pemain Pertama yang Teken Kontrak di Arema. Wearemania. 3 March 2021. id . 3 March 2021.
3. Web site: Jelang Piala Menpora 2021, Arema FC Datangkan Mantan Pemain Timnas Indonesia, Muhammad Roby . Surya Malang. 10 March 2021. id . 10 March 2021.
4. Web site: Arema FC Datangkan Ikhwan Ciptady . Bola.net. 15 March 2021. id . 15 March 2021.
5. Web site: Resmi! Pemain Persija Ini Jadi Milik Arema FC. Arema FC . 10 June 2021. id . 10 June 2021.
6. Web site: Resmi! Arema FC Datangkan Diego Michiels. Arema FC . 14 June 2021. id . 14 June 2021.
7. Web site: Selamat Datang di Bumi Arema Renshi Yamaguchi dan Adilson Maringa!. Arema FC . 22 June 2021. id . 22 June 2021.
8. Web site: Resmi! Arema FC Perkenalkan Carlos Fortes . Arema FC . 12 July 2021. id . 12 July 2021.
9. Web site: Empat Siswa Akademi Arema Naik Kelas ke Tim Senior Arema FC. Arema FC . 13 July 2021. id . 13 July 2021.
10. Web site: Resmi! Arema FC Perkenalkan Sergio Silva . Arema FC . 30 August 2021. id . 30 August 2021.
11. Web site: Tambah Kekuatan di Sektor Sayap, Arema FC Rekrut Ryan Kurnia . Arema FC . 3 January 2022. id . 3 January 2022.
12. Web site: Manajemen Arema FC Lepas 2 Pemain Lokal, Ini Alasannya. Surya Malang. 11 February 2021. id . 11 February 2021.
13. Web site: BREAKING NEWS : Kapten Arema FC, Hendro Siswanto Pamit Undur Diri dari Tim Singo Edan . Surya Malang. 16 February 2021. id . 16 February 2021.
14. Web site: Titan Agung Bagus Fawwazi Resmi Pamit Tinggalkan Arema FC, Pilih Jadi Polisi . Surya Malang. 18 February 2021. id . 18 February 2021.
15. Web site: Diduga Tak Sepakat Nilai Kontrak, Nurdiansyah Mundur dari Arema FC. Surya Malang. 23 February 2021. id . 23 February 2021.
16. Web site: Arema FC Hanya Kontrak Muhammad Roby untuk Piala Menpora 2021 . Surya Malang. 11 March 2021. id . 11 March 2021.
17. Web site: Gagal, Arema Langsung Depak Bruno Smith dan Caio Ruan . malang-post.com. 1 April 2021. id . 1 April 2021.
18. Web site: Pilih Sriwijaya FC, Arema FC Hormati Keputusan Ikhwan Ciptady. Arema FC . 9 June 2021. id . 9 June 2021.
19. Web site: Demi Jam Terbang, Tiga Pemain Muda Dilepas ke Klub Lain . Arema FC . 21 June 2021. id . 21 June 2021.
20. Web site: Pamit Tinggalkan Arema FC, Manajemen Apresiasi Kontribusi Dave Mustaine . Arema FC . 19 December 2021. id . 19 December 2021.
21. Web site: Arema FC Resmi Datangkan Pemain Timnas U-23. Arema FC . 20 December 2021. id . 20 December 2021.
22. Web site: Selamat Datang Fabiano Beltrame dan Sandi Sute!. Arema FC . 4 January 2022. id . 4 January 2022.
23. Web site: Batal Sepakat dengan PSG Pati, Utam Rusdiyana Pilih Klub yang Dilatih Legenda Singo Edan. Arema FC . 18 June 2021. id . 18 June 2021.
24. Web site: Tertantang Untuk Berkembang, Arema FC Beri Restu Kartika Ajie Gabung Rans Cilegon FC. Arema FC . 30 September 2021. id . 30 September 2021.
25. Web site: Usai Bawa RANS Cilegon FC Promosi Liga 1, Kiper Arema FC Dipinjamkan ke Barito Putera . Tribun Jatim. 9 January 2022. id . 9 January 2022.
26. Web site: Resmi Jadi Pelatih Arema FC, Carlos Oliveira Tertantang Bawa Singo Edan Berprestasi. Arema FC . 17 September 2020. id . 17 September 2020.
27. Web site: Liga 1 2020 Resmi Dibatalkan . CNN Indonesia . 20 January 2021 . id . 20 January 2021.
28. Web site: RESMI! Manajemen Arema FC Tak Perpanjang Kontrak Carlos Oliveira. Surya Malang. 7 February 2021. id . 7 February 2021.
29. Web site: Arema FC di Piala Menpora Tanpa Pelatih Kepala, Sementara Posisi Dipegang Asisten Pelatih Kuncoro. Wartakotalive.com. 21 March 2021. id . 21 March 2021.
30. Web site: Resmi! Arema FC Ikat Pelatih Baru . Arema FC . 3 May 2021. id . 3 May 2021.
31. Web site: Gagal Menang dari Persebaya, Arema FC Tetap di Puncak Klasemen. Arema FC . 23 February 2022. id . 23 February 2022.
32. Web site: Finish di Urutan ke-4 BRI Liga 1 2021, Presiden Arema FC Apresiasi Perjuangan Tim . Arema FC . 30 March 2022. id . 30 March 2022.