Trent Alexander-Arnold finally registered his first La Liga assist for Real Madrid on Wednesday during their important league match against Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabéu. The team had been under pressure after a short winless run, something SoftFootball highlighted in their preview of the fixture as Madrid looked to end that stretch against Athletic Bilbao.
His assist, which Fabrizio Romano talked about in a post shared on his official X account, arrived inside the opening ten minutes and lifted the Bernabéu crowd. Picking the ball from deep, he drifted into space and delivered a trademark long pass that Kylian Mbappé controlled before smashing into the net.
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The moment felt like a small breakthrough for Alexander Arnold, especially after Xabi Alonso recently asked for patience with his adaptation to the club in a SoftFootball report.
The assist also showed why Madrid were keen to bring him in early. His cross-field passing has always been his biggest weapon, and he used it again with confidence. He beat Nico Williams in a tight duel and then picked out Mbappé with ease.
The goal helped Real Madrid get an important win and calm the mood around the squad. His adjustment period has still been a talking point, though. Some fans expected instant dominance, while others have been more patient.
Even David Beckham made headlines when he praised Alexander Arnold’s technique in a SoftFootball feature, saying he sees parts of himself in the defender.
Spanish media have been split on his early performances. Some rated him highly in the Club World Cup, while some pointed out some defensive issues and lapses in concentration.
Some also admitted his delivery is special, noting that his right foot feels like a glove when he gets the angle right. For a player still settling into a new league and a different style, the reactions were expected.
The internal competition is also real. Dani Carvajal is close to full fitness after his long ACL layoff and has returned to squad training. His presence pushes Alexander Arnold to stay sharp because Alonso now has two elite options for one position. Carvajal has said he welcomes the rivalry and believes it will help the team grow stronger.
With the first La Liga assist now out of the way, Alexander Arnold may feel a little lighter as he continues his adaptation to Spanish football.
