Under the Bernabeu microscope – Pressure mounts on Real Madrid summer signing as Elche expose familiar flaws

Real Madrid expected Trent Alexander-Arnold to settle quickly into life at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the club showed that belief by restoring him to the starting line-up against Elche.

Yet the moment the match kicked off, things immediately took a turn for the worse. The England international, signed with enormous fanfare, once again left the pitch with fingers pointing in his direction.

As a result, the optimism surrounding his arrival has slowly turned into frustration, as his performances continue to fall short of what Madrid supporters anticipated.

Abysmal display against Elche

Instead of looking like a natural fit for the right-back role at Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold’s play has been inconsistent and uncertain.

Too often, he appears rushed in possession, overly reliant on crosses, and vulnerable in direct duels.

It is indeed a fact that every new signing needs time to adapt, but Alexander-Arnold is beginning to run out of excuses as opportunities pass him by.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was visibly frustrated against Elche. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The match against Elche was meant to be a turning point as it was a show of confidence, a chance for him to prove that he was ready to take charge of the flank.

However, the night unfolded in the opposite direction. The defender lost the ball 25 times, a statistic that stands out sharply since no Real Madrid player has recorded such a number since April, when Vinicius lost 33 possessions against Athletic Club.

One of the clearest signs of his struggle was the volume and predictability of his crosses.

Alexander-Arnold attempted 18 crosses, while Carreras, playing on the opposite flank, had just 3 and Arda Guler had 2.

Furthermore, his defensive frustration is visible. The Englishman’s reaction after Elche’s opening goal, striking the ball with clear anger, revealed a player fully aware that the spotlight was on him again.

He was caught out of position, beaten in the run-up to the finish, and unable to recover in time to prevent the strike.

It summed up a night that reflected a larger issue: his form simply hasn’t been good all season.

Source: AS