Itâs been revealed that Trent Alexander-Arnold was punished for breaking Real Madridâs strict âcode of conductâ ahead of the derby win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
After an impressive run of form, including two fine displays against Manchester City in Realâs Champions League round of 16 triumph, Alexander-Arnold found himself back on the bench against Atletico.
Real Madrid beat their City rivals 3-2 in a thrilling contest, with Vinicius Junior scoring twice and Federico Valverde also on target before being red-carded as Los Blancos came from a goal down to win the LaLiga showdown.
A few eyebrows were raised when Dani Caraval was given the nod over former Liverpool star Alexander-Arnold, but now MARCA has revealed that it was not for tactical or selection reasons.
The report claims that Alexander-Arnold, who was once again left out of Thomas Tuchelâs latest England squad, âarrived late to one of the final training sessions of the weekâ.
The Spanish outlet added that Real boss Alvaro Arbeloa made the call as a way to send a âclear message with a decision focused on discipline and dressing room orderâ and ârespected the teamâs code of conduct and made the necessary decision to maintain order within the group.â
Alexander-Arnold did end up coming off the bench to replace Carvajal in the 64th minute and picked up an assist for Viniciusâ second goal on the night.
Arbeloa was asked about the 27-year-old being relegated to the bench after the game, although he refused to confirm that it was for disciplinary reasons.
âEvery game I choose the best starting XI,â Arbeloa said.
âDani Carvajal had great minutes and Iâm very pleased with him. Trent had a great impact and Iâm lucky to have many good options, and that everyone is contributing as they did today.
âI repeat once again, in every game I select the best possible line-up for the team.â
Alexander-Arnoldâs indiscretion is not perhaps as damaging as it could of been, in terms of his World Cup hopes for the summer.
After missing out on Tuchelâs expanded 35-man Three Lions squad for the upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, the German even declined to call on Alexander-Arnold after Jarell Quansah was ruled out of the contests.
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Indeed, Tuchel chose to recall Ben White ahead of the Real star, despite the Arsenal defender not having played for his country for four years, after leaving the camp during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar for personal reasons.
In terms of Alexander-Arnoldâs continued absence, Tuchel stressed that he made a âsporting decisionâ and one that was âtoughâ to leave the former Reds star out.
