Antoni Arabí

Antoni Arabí i Serra (born 13 November 1953) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a right wingback.[1] He is also a politician for the Balearic Islands' People's Party.

In this Catalan name, the first or paternal surname is Arabí and the second or maternal family name is Serra; both are generally joined by the conjunction "i".
Antoni Arabí
Personal information
Full name Antoni Arabí i Serra
Date of birth (1953-11-13) 13 November 1953
Place of birth Sant Antoni de Portmany, Spain
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Wingback
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1970–1974 Portmany
1974–1978 Ibiza
1978–1986 RCD Espanyol 173 (7)
1986–1987 Ibiza
1987 Portmany
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Football career

Born in Sant Antoni de Portmany, Eivissa, Balearic Islands, Arabí began his career with local SD Portmany and also represented neighbouring SD Eivissa in his early years, winning promotion to Segunda División B in 1978 with the latter. He moved straight into La Liga after that achievement, signing for RCD Espanyol in June.

Arabí made his official debut for the Catalans on 9 September 1978, playing the last 19 minutes in a 1–0 home win against Sporting de Gijón.[2] He scored his first goal on 29 October, but in a 3–4 away loss against Sevilla FC.[3]

Initially a midfielder, Arabí was converted to a right wingback in 1980 by manager José María Maguregui.[1] At the start of the 1982–83 season he was appointed captain, replacing CE Sabadell FC-bound Marañon.

In August 1986, after suffering a severe knee injury in a Copa del Rey match on 8 May, Arabí returned to Eivissa.[4] He appeared in more than 200 official games with the Pericos during his eight-year tenure, being subsequently honoured by fans and club.

Arabí retired with his first club Portmany in 1987, aged 34.[5][6]

Political career

After his retirement, Arabí worked as an athletic director and coach, managing the likes of Portmany SD, CF Sant Rafel and SCR Peña Deportiva. He was also active in the conservative People's Party of the Balearic Islands.[7]

References
  1. "Arabí: un "chico" para todo" [Arabí: a "kid" for everything]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 29 March 1981. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  2. "Un gran gol de José Manuel y dos postes de Marañon" [A great José Manuel goal and two Marañon posts]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 10 September 1978. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  3. "4–3: El Español marcó tres goles... para nada" [4–3: Espanyol scored three goals... for nothing]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 30 October 1978. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  4. "Arabí fichó por el Eivissa" [Arabí signed for Ibiza]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 21 August 1986. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  5. "Antoni Arabí" (in Spanish). Hall of Fame Perico. 16 April 2009. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  6. "Antoni Arabí, el valor de un comodín" [Antoni Arabí, the value of a joker] (in Spanish). Pericos Online. 14 July 2012. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  7. "Arabí se pasa a la politica" [Arabí goes to politics]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 31 May 1987. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
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