Faced with a squad that is rapidly fragmenting,Marca claims that Arbeloa has moved to hold an emergency crisis meeting. The atmosphere at Valdebebas is said to be toxic, with several players barely on speaking terms. It has been suggested that as many as six first-team stars have completely stopped engaging with Arbeloa as the manager struggles to maintain authority.
The timing could not be worse for the Spanish giants, who are currently preparing for the final El Clasico of the season. With Barcelona sitting 11 points clear at the top of La Liga, a defeat or draw on Sunday would see their fiercest rivals crowned champions. The objective of the meeting is to find a temporary truce, but the deep-seated divisions within the dressing room appear to be more than just a passing phase.