‎Alvaro Arbeloa Says Real Madrid Are 'Lucky' to Have Trent Alexander-Arnold After Stellar Display

By: Shawn
‎Trent Alexander-Arnold has been described as a “lucky find” for Real Madrid by head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, following the England international’s impactful performance against Real Sociedad. The former Liverpool defender joined Los Blancos last summer on a free transfer, a move that stirred controversy among Liverpool fans. However, injuries have hindered his early contributions in Spain.
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‎Trent Alexander-Arnold receives high praise from Alvaro Arbeloa after contributing in Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad, highlighting his tactical understanding and versatility.
‎Getty Images Sport 
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‎Alexander-Arnold’s sixth league start of the season came in Saturday’s 4-1 triumph over Real Sociedad, during which he recorded his second league assist, providing for Gonzalo Garcia in the fifth minute. The win marked Real Madrid’s eighth consecutive league victory, moving them to the top of La Liga.
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‎The right-back’s inconsistent game time has fueled speculation about a return to the Premier League, with Manchester City reportedly eyeing him to strengthen Pep Guardiola’s defensive options this summer.
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‎Arbeloa lavished praise on Alexander-Arnold’s football intelligence and understanding of team tactics. Speaking to Real Madrid TV, he said: “It was impressive to see how he reads the game and spots space. These qualities are crucial, as we need players who fully understand our approach.”
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‎Alexander-Arnold started ahead of Dani Carvajal, who also recently returned from injury, leading Federico Valverde to shift back into midfield. Carvajal eventually replaced Alexander-Arnold in the final 30 minutes. Arbeloa continued: “He’s smart, grasps instructions quickly, and is not limited to playing wide. His ability to switch positions makes him invaluable.”
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‎The Los Blancos coach also highlighted Vinicius Junior’s performance, who scored a brace after missing the previous league match due to suspension. “Vinicius has been outstanding lately, capable of turning games. He influences matches beyond numbers,” Arbeloa commented.
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‎Addressing Kylian Mbappe’s absence, Arbeloa explained that the French striker, who scored his 23rd league goal against Valencia six days prior, was rested due to left-knee discomfort and will likely feature against Benfica in the upcoming Champions League fixture.
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‎Real Madrid will meet Benfica in the first leg of the Champions League playoffs in Lisbon on Tuesday, aiming to secure a place in the round of 16. The winner will face either Sporting CP or Manchester City next month.

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