Arshavin weighs in: Arbeloa’s Real Madrid chapter could get spicy
27 January 2026
Arsenal Legend Arshavin weighs in on Arbeloa's Real Madrid challenge
Andrei Arshavin, the former Arsenal forward and Russia’s national team captain, sparked headlines with remarks about Álvaro Arbeloa’s situation at Real Madrid, arguing that the Spanish coach faces a difficult start and openly hoping his current stint at the club doesn’t go smoothly.
In an interview with the Russian channel Match TV, Arshavin said, "Arbeloa is in a tough spot, and as a Barcelona fan, I hope he doesn’t succeed."
He added that for Arbeloa, the most important thing is communication with teammates rather than focusing solely on tactical setups.
Commenting on the La Liga title race, Arshavin said it was surprising to see Barcelona ahead of Real Madrid by just one point, given Madrid’s struggles and how the standings looked to him.
Real Madrid are gearing up for a decisive Champions League clash with Benfica in the final group-stage round.
Madrid currently sit third in the group with 15 points, and a win over Benfica would secure a direct last-16 berth. The club also hopes to avoid a playoff round to reach the knockout stage, allowing players extra rest.
Punchline 1: If Arbeloa’s plan is to crash Real Madrid, he might need a better script than this season’s soap opera.
Punchline 2: And remember, in football as in life, the only thing more unpredictable than a group-stage thriller is Arshavin’s sense of fashion.
