Alvaro Arbeloa: “We’re lucky to have a player like Trent”

Madrid—Real Madrid head coach Álvaro Arbeloa hailed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s growing influence after the English full-back impressed again in Saturday’s 4-1 La Liga victory over an in-form Real Sociedad at the Bernabéu.

“I won’t say he surprised me, but he seems like a very intelligent lad who understands the game very well and quickly grasps what we want from him,” Arbeloa told reporters. “He’s not your typical full-back who’s always going to be wide; he can also play centrally. We’re lucky to have a player like that.”

Alexander-Arnold, still building minutes after a recent injury lay-off, showcased the tactical versatility that has become a hallmark of his game, drifting inside to overload midfield while still providing the delivery that has made him one of Europe’s most creative defenders. With Gonzalo providing a focal point in the box, the 25-year-old’s range of passing and vision allowed Madrid to stretch a Sociedad side that arrived in the capital unbeaten under coach Pellegrino Matarazzo.

“Things that are very important for a coach: having players who understand what’s wanted,” Arbeloa added. “Not just the passing to get the team running, but to implement everything we want from him.”

The comprehensive win extended Madrid’s positive momentum ahead of a pivotal Champions League quarter-final first leg in Lisbon on Tuesday. Arbeloa, mindful of the hostile atmosphere that awaits his squad, stressed that lessons from previous European away days have been drilled into the group.

“We remember the Lisbon match very well, the difficulty it presents, the atmosphere,” he said. “We’ll try to bring back the victory and not think about the return leg.”

Saturday’s result was all the more impressive given Sociedad’s reputation as the league’s most prolific counter-attacking side. Madrid nullified that threat through a compact defensive block that congested the midfield corridor, a tweak that allowed rapid transitions once possession was won.

“Great match, considering the opponent and their streak,” Arbeloa noted. “Big teams hadn’t been able to beat this Real Sociedad side, who were undefeated.”

Youth also took centre stage when 20-year-old defender [unnamed in the briefing] replaced the veteran right-back for the final half-hour, earning a deafening ovation after winning a late penalty through his relentless pressing. Arbeloa leapt to the youngster’s defence when asked about the foul that led to the spot-kick.

“He did very well on the penalty, and that’s the nature of being a defender: you can play brilliantly for 90 minutes and then lose a game with one mistake, but that wasn’t the case for him,” the coach said. “We have to remember that he’s only 20 years old, it’s his first season at Real Madrid, and it’s very difficult to be a defender here.”

Vinícius Júnior continued his rich vein of form, tormenting Sociedad with direct running and decisive actions. Arbeloa praised the Brazilian’s consistency over the past month, calling him “a real game-changer” whose impact “goes beyond the numbers.”

Kylian Mbappé, meanwhile, was left out of the squad as a precaution after nursing a persistent discomfort. Arbeloa expects the French forward to be available for the mid-week European assignment.

With a congested calendar ahead, rotation will be critical. Alexander-Arnold and the young defender are both being eased back to full capacity, and Arbeloa emphasised the need to manage their loads carefully.

“They’re coming off a period of injury and can’t play 90 minutes every three days,” he explained. “My goal is to have them both at 100%.”

The victory keeps Madrid within striking distance at the top of the table, but Arbeloa warned that the title race will be a week-by-week slog.

“Every matchday will be worth three crucial points,” he said. “Week after week, we’ll approach each game in the best possible way, with the goal of winning.”

For now, the Bernabéu can savour a performance that blended defensive steel with attacking flair, spearheaded by a right-back redefining the role in the Spanish capital.