Alvaro Arbeloa Says Real Madrid Are 'Fortunate' to Have Trent Alexander-Arnold After Impressive Assist

By: Shawn
‎Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has spoken highly of Trent Alexander-Arnold, describing the English right-back as a valuable asset for the Spanish side. Alexander-Arnold joined Los Blancos last summer on a free transfer, a move that frustrated Liverpool supporters, but his start in Madrid has been mixed due to injury struggles limiting his impact.
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‎Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa hails Trent Alexander-Arnold’s intelligence and versatility following his first league start of the season against Real Sociedad, emphasizing the club’s luck in having the England right-back.
‎Getty Images Sport 

‎On Saturday, Alexander-Arnold made only his sixth league start of the season in Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad. He also contributed his second league assist of the campaign, setting up Gonzalo Garcia in the fifth minute, helping the team extend their winning streak to eight consecutive league games and reclaim the top spot in La Liga.
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‎Despite a stop-start season and limited minutes, Alexander-Arnold has been linked with a potential return to the Premier League. Reports suggest Manchester City are interested as they plan to strengthen their defense in the summer, with the right-back position a priority under Pep Guardiola.
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‎Following his standout performance, Arbeloa praised Alexander-Arnold’s game intelligence and tactical awareness. Speaking to Real Madrid TV, he said: “It was great to see how he reads the game and understands spaces. That knowledge is vital for a coach, having players who grasp exactly what we want.”
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‎Alexander-Arnold started ahead of Dani Carvajal, who had recently returned from injury. Federico Valverde was moved back into midfield, and later, Carvajal replaced Alexander-Arnold in the final 30 minutes. Arbeloa added: “Trent is a highly intelligent player. He’s not confined to the flanks and can operate centrally. We’re fortunate to have someone with his versatility.”
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‎Arbeloa also commended Vinicius Junior, who scored twice against Real Sociedad after serving a suspension in the previous match against Valencia. “Vinicius has been performing at an exceptional level. He’s more than just stats; he can change the course of a game,” Arbeloa stated.
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‎Regarding Kylian Mbappe, who remained an unused substitute against Real Sociedad, Arbeloa reassured fans about the forward’s condition. “Mbappe has been managing some knee discomfort, but we didn’t want to risk him ahead of the Champions League match against Benfica on Tuesday,” he explained.
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‎Real Madrid will travel to Lisbon to face Benfica in the first leg of the Champions League playoff, with the winner facing either Sporting CP or Manchester City in the round of 16.

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