Arnold Returns: Arbelóa Lists Five Absences for Real vs. Valencia
Alvaro Arbeloa, the head coach of Real Madrid, announced his squad for the upcoming matchup against Valencia on Sunday. This match is part of the 23rd round of La Liga. Arbeloa’s selections highlight significant injuries, with five key players unable to participate.
Key Absences for Real Madrid
Real Madrid will be without several prominent players due to various reasons:
- Eder Militao – Injury
- Jude Bellingham – Injury
- Rodrygo Goes – Injury
- Ferland Mendy – Injury
- Vinicius Junior – Suspension
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Return
In a positive development, Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to the squad after recovering from an injury. His comeback is expected to reinforce Real Madrid’s defense significantly.
Current Standings in La Liga
As of now, Real Madrid is in second place in the league standings, accumulating 54 points. They trail Barcelona by four points but have played one match less. In contrast, Valencia is struggling in 16th place, with only 23 points.
Complete Squad List for the Match
The full list of players selected by Arbeloa includes:
- Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin, Sergio Mistry
- Defenders: Carvajal, Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Asensio, Alvaro Carreras, Fran Garcia, Rudiger, Hojsen, Jimenez
- Midfielders: Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Arda Güler, Dani Ceballos, Sistiro
- Forwards: Mbappe, Gonzalo, Ibrahim Diaz, Mastantuno
Impact of Alexander-Arnold’s Return
According to reports from the Spanish newspaper AS, Alexander-Arnold’s return could stabilize the right-back position. This shift will allow Federico Valverde to return to his natural midfield role, alleviating some defensive responsibilities he has been managing in recent matches.
