The Socceroos will take on Peru on Monday with the winner to clinch the 31st spot at the 2022 World Cup finals. Costa Rica and New Zealand will face off on Tuesday for the final spot in Doha.
Australia was made to work for their victory over UAE, after a lacklustre first half, with Martin Boyle setting up Jackson Irvine to break the deadlock in the 53rd minute.
UAE hit back almost immediately when naturalized Caio Canedo fired home in the 57th minute after good work by the impressive Harib Abdalla down the left flank.
But Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Ajdin Hrustic got the winner with a powerful volley from a corner in the 84th minute.
Thats what Ive been driving to the boys ever since I came into the camp about the Aussie DNA, kick, fight, scratch, do whatever youve got to do to win the game, Arnold said after the game.
However we do it, who cares, just win it.
Peru looms as a far stronger opponent for Australia than UAE, with the two sides meeting at the 2018 World Cup where the South Americans won 2-0.
Well be looking at Peru straight away, Arnold said. The boys will recover tomorrow.
On the UAE game, he added: We knew theyd sit back. We didnt want to play a game where we opened the field up too much.
We made sure we stayed nice and compact during the game. Well improve even more for the next game.