With only five games remaining in La Liga, Real Madrid trails Barcelona by 11 points, effectively letting the title slip away for consecutive seasons. Their latest setback came in a frustrating draw against Real Betis, where they conceded a last-minute equaliser. Despite defending the squad's character, Arbeloa conceded that recent performances have fallen short of the standard expected at the Bernabeu. He noted that talent alone is no longer enough to secure victories in the modern game, calling for a collective shift in mentality and tactical discipline.
“There are a lot of matches," Arbeloa concluded. "The results are far from what Real Madrid should be achieving. You can’t beat anyone these days just by getting off the bus. We have to improve a lot, collectively. The talent we have isn’t enough to just keep the ball on the ground and play individually. We need a plan, a structure, a way to disrupt the opposition."