GRAHAM Arnold has secured two more key pieces in his long-term plans for Sydney FC, signing striker Shane Smeltz to a two-year deal and securing defender Jacques Faty for another season.

Smeltz’s decision to stay with the Sky Blues comes after the departure of marquee Marc Janko and despite interest from Malaysia. After Arnold refused to let Smeltz leave in April to take up an offer there, the striker said the intervening weeks had given him a new perspective on his future.

The second-highest goalscorer in the history of the A-League, Smeltz fought his way back to full fitness after several years blighted by injury, though his appearances for Sydney were limited by the impact of Janko.

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media_camera Smeltz managed eight goals for Sydney despite playing second fiddle to Janko. Picture: Mark Evans

Now he and Faty will face EPL side Tottenham on Saturday buoyed by the resolution of their futures, as the Sky Blues prepare for the visits of both Spurs and EPL champions Chelsea the following Tuesday.

“Time gives you the opportunity to think things through and see a bit more clearly, and I’m very comfortable that I’ve made the right decision,” Smeltz said. “I thought long and hard about it, but two years more at this club is a pretty enticing prospect, especially after the season we’ve just had.

“If we progress like I think we will, it will be a pretty special season with the FFA Cup and the Asian Champions League, and I see my future here. Arnie brought in some good players over the last few months but he hasn’t finished yet building a very good squad that I want to be part of.

media_camera A hamstring injury forced Faty off in the first half of the A-League grand final.

“I’ve got to thank Arnie and especially Andrew Clark for really looking after me, after the injury problems I had — they knew what I could do, and thanks to them I’ve been able to get back on track. The club have shown faith in me, and a desire to keep me, and now I want to repay that.”

Arnold was openly relieved to have re-signed Smeltz, who scored eight goals for Sydney despite making only nine starts because of Janko’s form.

“Shane is a top quality striker and a first class goal-scorer,” Arnold said. “He had a difficult 12 months before he came to us but has progressed well over this year and we believe he is now back to his best.”

media_camera Marc Janko and Sydney FC sever ties. Picture: Brett Costello

Faty meanwhile has committed for next season days after cousin Mickael Tavares inked his own, two-year deal — both had become key members of the sky Blues squad since arriving in January as injury replacements.

“I believe I have unfinished business here after the Grand Final and I want to use that as motivation for next season when we compete in the Asian Champions League and hopefully set more A-League records,” said Faty.

The securing of Smeltz and Faty means only the future of midfielder Milos Dimitrijevic remains uncertain from Arnold’s first-choice XI, though several other players including striker Corey Gameiro are also coming off contract.