Daniel Peretz Opens Up About Tensions in Israel Ahead of FA Cup Match vs Arsenal

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Southampton goalkeeper Daniel Peretz spoke about the reality of air raid sirens his family in Israel has to face, which has become a 'routine' for them. This situation is a major concern for him as he prepares for the FA Cup quarter-finals against Arsenal on Saturday, as reported by The Guardian and Ynet News.

Peretz, who is currently on loan from Bayern Munich, admitted that he keeps in touch with his family in Tel Aviv and they have to quickly head to a safe area when the sirens sound. 'It's not always easy to make this separation work in life and you're extremely worried about what's happening,' the 25-year-old goalkeeper said.

Despite this, Peretz insisted that his family is making an effort to keep him focused 100% on football. 'I know the best thing I can do is focus on doing my best – it will affect more people than I think,' he added, highlighting the support he receives from the club.

Although he faces challenging geopolitical conditions, Peretz remains proud to represent Israel on the international stage. However, he is a bit disappointed that his team failed to qualify for the World Cup and can't play at home since their debut against Cyprus in November 2022. 'I hope we'll soon play at home, so we can play with our fans and make them happy and feel their support,' he said.

In the last three years, Israel's home matches have been played in Hungary. Peretz hopes to return to playing at home soon, 'It will feel [more] special when we'll be hosting at home.'

Peretz joined Bayern Munich nearly three years ago from Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he began his career at the age of five. He described his encounter with idol Manuel Neuer as an unforgettable moment. 'When I first met him, I was sweating everywhere and I was so nervous I couldn't speak,' he recalled.

For Peretz, Neuer is not only his childhood idol but also a mentor in Bavaria. 'It changed from admiring players to them being friends and teammates of mine,' he clarified. He also shared his experience training penalty kicks with Harry Kane, which helped him improve his skills as a goalkeeper.

His debut in the Champions League occurred when Bayern defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 5-1, played at Schalke due to the war in Ukraine. This moment was a 'huge' one and made him 'hungrier for more appearances.'

In addition to his on-field career, Peretz has captured the attention of British media due to his relationship with singer-songwriter Noa Kirel. The couple even received the nickname 'Israel's Beckhams' from the media. Peretz married Kirel in November last year.

He admitted that Kirel is the one with a much larger public profile in Israel. 'She's the most famous person in Israel,' he laughed. Peretz recounted how he was captivated by Kirel's performance at Eurovision in 2023, where she secured third place.

Since joining Southampton in January with a transfer option worth £7 million, Peretz has only experienced one defeat. He has been a crucial part of Southampton's 14-match unbeaten streak across all competitions. His family has been following 'every minute' of his games.

Peretz is open to staying at Southampton, but he acknowledges that the club's promotion to the Premier League will significantly impact his decision. 'Let's finish this season in the best possible way and then we'll be wiser in making our decisions,' he concluded. On the upcoming match against Arsenal, Peretz stated that his team 'has a lot of respect but we're not afraid.'