Is Arbeloa the victim or the main reason behind Real Madrid’s collapse this season?

Initially, there were encouraging signs, as results improved, the atmosphere appeared calmer, and there was hope that Arbeloa could stabilise a dressing room already beginning to show cracks. That optimism, however, did not last long. Growing tension within the squad As the season progressed, tensions inside the squad grew stronger and the Madrid coach slowly lost control of a dressing room that now appears badly fractured.

Internally, many believe the situation has reached a point where repairing relationships inside the squad may no longer be possible. Still, placing the entire blame on Arbeloa would ignore the wider issues that have damaged Real Madrid throughout the campaign. Several players have also disappointed with their attitude and behaviour during difficult moments of the season.

Even though Madrid still have three league matches left to play, there is a growing feeling around the club that the squad has mentally checked out. The intensity, togetherness and hunger that once defined Real Madrid sides in recent years now appear absent. Arbeloa is isolated Arbeloa has been forced to face everything alone.

(Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) Simply put, rather than driving the chaos, Arbeloa has looked like someone left to deal with problems alone. One of the clearest examples came following the highly publicised altercation involving Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni. Beyond the official club communication, Arbeloa was effectively left as the only public figure addressing the situation and attempting to calm tensions surrounding the squad.