Trent Alexander-Arnold will want to put his debut season at Real Madrid behind him amid recurring injury issues. The English right-back has only made 11 appearances across competitions including just eight La Liga outings.
When Alvaro Arbeloa was appointed as caretaker manager and replaced Xabi Alonso it was suggested that he didn't want Alexander-Arnold in his team. A report claimed that the Spanish coach advised the former Liverpool man to leave because he wasn't part of his plans.
That claim has been refuted and Alexander-Arnold is expected to return from injury soon. It seems that not only does Arbeloa want the 27-year-old in his team but views him as a key man.
Arbeloa's stance on Alexander-Arnold revealed
Alexander-Arnold has yet to appear under Arbeloa but could potentially be included in the matchday squad for this weekend's trip to the Mestalla. Los Blancos clash with Valencia in La Liga and could be four points behind Barcelona in the title race by kick off.
According to Marca (via Madrid Xtra), Arbeloa's priority for the rest of the season is to get Alexander-Arnold playing to the best of his ability. That would be a massive boost for the team and the player given defense has been an issue this season and Dani Carvajal hasn't been available for most of the campaign.
Alexander-Arnold is one of the most highly-admired playmaking full-backs in world football. He holds the record for the most assists from a defender in Premier League history.
There have been glimpses of his ball-playing abilities and superb set-piece taking during his debut campaign. If he were to replicate his best form from his time at Liverpool it could make a huge difference for the team in the final stretch of the season.
Alexander-Arnold needs to stay fit
Madrid are enduring an injury crisis and can't continue to be unable to rely on Alexander-Arnold. There was never any real concerns over his future because he only arrived last summer but he does need to start showing his worth.
Alexander-Arnold's absence has been a problem because Carvajal is also enduring injury issues. It's meant that Federico Valverde has often had to fill in at right-back to deal with their absences.
The English star is one of the experienced members of Arbeloa's squad and will be just as important on the pitch as well as in the dressing room. He was Liverpool's vice-captain when he left Anfield for the Bernabeu last summer.