Trent Alexander-Arnold's challenging start to life at Real Madrid has taken another negative turn, with the defender suffering a potential injury during a La Liga match.
A Difficult Night Culminates in Injury
The England international was forced off in the 55th minute of Real Madrid's clash with Athletic Club on Wednesday night. His substitution came just days after he faced severe criticism from prominent Spanish media figures for his performance in a 1-1 draw with Girona.
Before his enforced departure, Alexander-Arnold had provided an assist for Kylian Mbappe's opening goal. Eduardo Camavinga also scored and Mbappe grabbed a second, but the positive contribution from the former Liverpool star was overshadowed by his early exit.
Scathing Media Assessment Adds to Pressure
The injury compounds a torrid period for the right-back. Following the Girona result, influential Spanish football writer Alfredo Relaño delivered a brutal verdict. He described Alexander-Arnold as looking "clueless and insubstantial, with the expression of a rabbit in the headlights" in open play, while acknowledging his set-piece quality.
This muscle issue now threatens that noted dead-ball prowess, which had seen him become the team's specialist under manager Xabi Alonso. The timing is far from ideal, with a crucial Champions League match against Manchester City looming after a weekend domestic fixture against Celta Vigo.
Alonso's Support and a Rocky Road in Madrid
Alexander-Arnold's first few months in the Spanish capital have been far from smooth. He was previously sidelined for several weeks with another injury earlier in the season. His comeback match was a 1-0 defeat at his former club Liverpool in November, where he was met with boos from the Anfield crowd.
Manager Xabi Alonso has publicly backed his summer signing, stating ahead of the Girona game: "Trent is a top player, and we need him. It's his first year, and this adjustment period is normal." Alonso emphasised the club's need to support the player through a significant life and career change.
Meanwhile, his former club Liverpool initially coped well without him, winning their first six league games. However, they have since faced their own defensive issues, with new signings Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley hampered by injuries, leading to midfielders filling in at right-back. A recent solution has seen Joe Gomez start in the full-back position.
