He is simply trying to recover the player. It probably won't work but he is attempting it. It's the oldest trick in the book for a manager. Take the pressure off the players and elevate them at every chance he gets. It's basic managerial shit. No need to overthink it.
Some people are saying the coach should stick with his player and support him through a "bad spell". Generally yes, that approach is sound. You just can't be making statements that make it sound like the goal of RMCF is to feed one underperforming player the balls until he's at his best again. You're a coach in charge of a team. How do you think that statement registers with the other 10 players on the field, or with your fans that just made their voices clearly heard? It's tone deaf at best. This concerns me in regards to Arbeloa as a manager, regardless of him speaking about Vini in this case.
Tearing people down to make yourself look and feel better IS the latest trick in the book of modern civil discourse. Politicians literally slander their way into office and people everywhere are afraid of the boogeyman(men/hims/he’s). It’s basic human nature. No need to overthink it.
🚨 Álvaro Arbeloa: "I know how our fans are. I have been here for many years. Our goal is to turn the situation around and make them happy again. We know we will do that, they are the reason we are so passionate about this game." pic.twitter.com/nevrKAdts0— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) January 19, 2026 Álvaro Arbeloa: "I know how our fans are. I have been here for many years. Our goal is to turn the situation around and make them happy again. We know we will do that, they are the reason we are so passionate about this game."
Arbeloa is coming off as a spineless sycophant right now. I dont think the players mind catering to Vinicius but the fans will hate it, as it again ignores accountability and reinforces the nursery reality. Its ironic because I would have liked for Arbeloa to take over from Carlo last winter and steady the ship with some discipline, preparing the team for the new project in the summer led by Xabi (or Klopp as I hoped, and after him Xabi). It would have been easier for Xabi with a transition before him. Instead hes been ran out and Arbeloa is put in a ridiculous situation in which he cant do the right thing whatever he does. Not to mention hes throwing his former teammate under the bus with these discourses. Yuck.
🚨 Arbeloa: "Not playing Vinicius would be better? I don't know if I've been clear. Vinicius will be on the pitch as long as he's available and performing at his current level. He's a fantastic, exceptional footballer. As Real Madrid's coach, if I want any chance of winning, I… pic.twitter.com/Nu6f21XykU— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) January 19, 2026 Bro just shut down anti Vini circlejerk
We’ve become meme for booing more than anything else good to have that reality check. The club is firmly behind vini irrespective of your hissy fits
Ultimately the players are on the pitch and not the fans, and his goal is to get the best out of the players. He has done nothing to throw the previous coach under the bus.
More meltdowns on this thread too I have to say, I applaud Arbeloa and the way he is handling things so far. Showing leadership qualities. "I don't know if I've been clear" - Love it. Xabi was literally trembling at press conferences. And you wonder why he was not able to transmit his ideas to the players? Have you had a boss at work before that was nervous and unsure of himself but had endless autistic ideas that fried your brain? That's what it was probably like. Irrespective of what you believe, his demeanour inspires confidence and will have a good effect on the players during this storm. The only question now is his tatical skills etc.
So far a lot of yapping from Arbeloa and embarassing elimination against second division relegation contender. Some of us care about results than how much he sucks up to your precious Vini.
I understand what Arbeloa trying to do here with comments like that - encouragement for players, but it's must reflect on the pitch after this and team must win... cause if not it will sound very strange.
I hope he's demanding more from Vini in private rather than BS like Vini was fantastic against Albacete claims he made in public. Need to have better standards set for players who are starting every game.
I always thought in the past you were the most rational poster here. Lately you sound more like applebob or rmrules. Overly emotional and dramatic. "I wish all of them were gone to be honest" I'm talking about his press conferences only. So far they are perfect. On the pitch we will have to wait and see. I am worried about that part tbh (lack of experience) but we will see. Even solari achieved small victories (started vinicius and benched isco and marcelo)
I think Arbeloa just likes glazing. Dude claimed a 3rd division kid playing for him is the best #6 in Spain. Created so much hype and everyone was disappointed with debut performance against a team closer to Segunda B level. Imagine the trolls if Yamal's coach said he was the best winger in Spain while playing in Segunda B. And he actually dominated at the highest level as 16 year old.
Confidence is a big thing for a footballer or any sportsman. It baffles me how some of you don't get that aspect. Arbeloa is doing the most normal thing in the world.
🚨 JUST IN: Real Madrid declined to go into detail when asked about Álvaro Arbeloa’s contract, describing the situation as ‘not important’.However, sources close to Arbeloa say that the contract is NOT just for this season. @MarioCortegana @GuillermoRai_ pic.twitter.com/1GrlaJ2hdX— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) January 19, 2026
🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗪: During Real Madrid training today, Vinicius Junior and Arbeloa seemed to be talking about lateness of some players to training:Vinicius Junior: "For me, a fine is better."Arbeloa: "You are the captain. We have to fine people." pic.twitter.com/ESorgcV5M3— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) January 19, 2026
Wonder who was late and wonder who still hasn't taken in the whistles as being because of shit like this?
Best #6 talent. And judging a player by one game, it means we need to sell the entire team at this point. You had vast majority of first team players playing that game, all need to be shipped to 3rd division teams for pennies.