Xabi Alonso handed the teenage defender a debut.placeholder image
Xabi Alonso handed the teenage defender a debut. | Getty Images
Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso was forced into handing 19-year-old starlet Victor Valdepenas a debut on Sunday evening.
Arsenal transfer target Victor Valdepenas made his first team debut from Real Madrid on Sunday evening, which has accelerated talk over a potential race to snap up the 19-year-old.
The defender started the Galacticos’ 2-1 win over Alaves and put in an impressive performance beyond his years. For many football fans, it was the first glimpse at a potential future star, but that is not the case for Arsenal chiefs.
ESPN Deportes report that the Gunners have been following the youngster’s progress for several seasons as he impressed in the Real Madrid youth set-up. It’s believed that the first team debut over the weekend has cemented interest in bringing the player to London.
Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund target makes Real Madrid debut
Xabi Alonso handed Valdepenas his chance with injuries to Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, and Eduardo Camavinga. Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras were also suspended for the match.
Arsenal are not the only European giants said to be monitoring Valdepenas with Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen also interested. There is yet to be any offer and the player is focused on life in the Spanish capital, but he certainly has the profile to follow in the footsteps of Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera as the next young defensive signing at the Emirates Stadium.
Meanwhile, focusing on the immediate task at hand, Martin O’Neill has sent Arsenal a warning over the rampant form of Premier League rivals Arsenal. Unai Emery’s side came from behind to beat West Ham 3-2 on Sunday.
Martin O’Neill tips Aston Villa to challenge Gunners in title race
Aston Villa are now just three points behind Arsenal in third with pundits beginning to wonder if the Midlands outfit could challenge for the title. Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Premier League manager said: “My own view is that whoever finishes in front of Arsenal will win it, but, I think the run that they're on now is really terrific.
“He [Emery] is getting the best out of some very, very, very good players, and why shouldn't they be in the title race at this stage of the season?”
Aston Villa beat Arsenal 2-1 at Villa Park earlier this month in what was just a second defeat of the season for the Gunners. O’Neill went on to admit that Arsenal remain favourites and praised the way in which they picked up three points against Wolves on Saturday.
He said: “Scoring so late on against Wolves as well too, when you haven't probably played all that well. Big signs really, big, big signs, you can play well the following week, just win the game, and they've done that.”
In other news, Arsenal handed injury blow as key star set to miss Everton, Aston Villa and Liverpool clashes.
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