Disappointing, Alexander-Arnold faces a major challenge at Real

Trent Alexander-Arnold is experiencing intense competition at Real Madrid because of Dani Carvajal’s impressive return.

The battle for the right-back position at Real Madrid has become one of the most talked-about topics at the start of the La Liga season. New signing Trent Alexander-Arnold, recently arrived from Liverpool, had an underwhelming start, while Dani Carvajal, a symbol of Los Blancos, made an impressive return after a long-term injury.

Carvajal’s comeback demonstrates that he has not only maintained his on-field performance but also remains the captain and spiritual leader of Real Madrid. According to The Athletic, Carvajal’s close teammates at Real Madrid believe he will continue to be Alonso’s preferred choice for a long time, despite Alexander-Arnold’s presence.

In the opening match against Osasuna, Alexander-Arnold was given a starting spot by coach Xabi Alonso. Real Madrid won the game, but the English player’s performance at Santiago Bernabeu was considered below expectations. In the following round, Alonso rotated the squad and gave the starting position to Carvajal, who had been sidelined for over 10 months due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Carvajal’s return quickly made an impact. The 33-year-old defender displayed solid defensive skills while maintaining his usual dynamism on the right flank. He played a crucial role in helping Real Madrid secure a 3-0 victory over Real Oviedo, thereby reaffirming his unshakable status in the squad.

After two rounds, it is clear that Carvajal still holds a distinct advantage. Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold needs more time to adapt to Spanish football. However, Real Madrid is a club that demands immediate results, which only adds to the pressure on the former Liverpool star.

The competition between Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold is expected to benefit both players as well as Real Madrid. For Xabi Alonso, this is an opportunity to experiment and find the best lineup formula. It’s also possible that the Spanish coach will consider using Alexander-Arnold in other positions, leveraging his passing ability and attacking contributions, which are among his strengths.

With Carvajal growing stronger and regaining his match fitness after a long injury, Alexander-Arnold must quickly prove himself. Otherwise, he risks spending most of his first season in Spain on the bench, accepting a secondary role for the remainder of his time at Real Madrid.