Alvaro Arbeloa

[Guest Ant]

If we are to do anything this season, this man will be pivitol in what we achieve, In my eyes so far player of the season, he is so much more versatile and re-assuring than Riise.

 

I think he will get a fair few as well...

 

Seriously the amount of optomism here is incredible...

[Herbie von Smalls]

has he put a foot wrong this season? i think not.

[CarraLegend]

If we are to do anything this season, this man will be pivitol in what we achieve, In my eyes so far player of the season, he is so much more versatile and re-assuring than Riise.

 

I think he will get a fair few as well...

 

Seriously the amount of optomism here is incredible...

 

While I think Riise does get *some* unfair stick it is great to have a left back who doesnt either look to shoot if he's somewhere over the half way line and doesn't just hoof it when he's in his own half.

[ManOfSteel]

He's one of my favourite kinds of signings. The kind where you first hear their name and you think "Who the hell is that?" and they turn out to be class.

 

He was a bargain.

[Benitez]

While I think Riise does get *some* unfair stick it is great to have a left back who doesnt either look to shoot if he's somewhere over the half way line and doesn't just hoof it when he's in his own half.

 

 

that's the major major difference. You are right Riise gets some unfair stick, cos after all, our defence has been top notch for ages now with him playing a major part of it. The frustration with Riise is what he does with the ball out of defence. The constant hoofing, the lack of intelligence when it comes to using his team mates, it's just infuriating.

 

Arbeloa looks to have the whole package. He is rightly keeping JAR out of that left back spot, and we're a better team for it. JAR hasn't had any decent competition for ages- in fact, has he ever here?! Now he finally has competition from a central defender turned right back turned left back, and it's a good thing for our team.

[Tosh]

what about whassisface. The bloke with the achilles?...

[Zoob]

He's got the sort of football intelligence that Rafa looks for in a player. He's very tidy with the ball, a good reader of the game, and even being a right footed left back, contributes more attack wise than Riise.

 

I like Riise, but aside from some great goals, he rarely contributes to the attack and we look a much better unit with Arbeloa at left back.

[Mascherano]

that's the major major difference. You are right Riise gets some unfair stick, cos after all, our defence has been top notch for ages now with him playing a major part of it. The frustration with Riise is what he does with the ball out of defence. The constant hoofing, the lack of intelligence when it comes to using his team mates, it's just infuriating.

 

Arbeloa looks to have the whole package. He is rightly keeping JAR out of that left back spot, and we're a better team for it. JAR hasn't had any decent competition for ages- in fact, has he ever here?! Now he finally has competition from a central defender turned right back turned left back, and it's a good thing for our team.

 

Agree with that.

 

We have had problems in the past with having players with quality who do not have consistency. Alvaro is looking like he has good consistency. I really like the way he closes players down and makes good tackles. He is not bad going forward either!

 

As for Riise, I understand the negative comments about him but I always think of the vital goals he has scored for this club in europe. I would keep him for that and as Benitez points out, the fact that he has been a part of a very successful defensive unit for some time.

[Billy Dane]

Thought he had a great game today, as did Javier. Can see him making left back his own if he carries on like this.

[Sion]

Surely a call up to his national team has to be on the cards if he keeps up this form.

[Bo Benn]

Surely a call up to his national team has to be on the cards if he keeps up this form.

 

I'm sure he will find his way into the Spanish squad very soon. Also the sad departure of Puerta will leave a gap in their squad. Or was he more of a midfielder?

 

Btw, just found out Alvaro's 2nd family name is Coca...

[Ben 23]

He has had a stunning season thus far but when all fully fit I would prefer Aurelio in an attacking Liverpool team. Against the likes of Ronaldo etc, Arbeloa should play so he could do as he did against Messi and eliminate their threat but against teams where we should be looking to dominate I think Aurellio's quality should have him ahead...

 

This doesn't really matter as Fabio is never fit for more than 3 games running...

[Jay Blizzay]

I was gonna do a thread just like this.

 

This guy is the real deal, good with ball at his feet, good defensively, gets forward, keeps it simple.

 

I love how he gets fouls by drawing players in, then dinks the ball over, jumps and falls down in a heap.

 

Excellent excellent player, now I know why Depor were so pissed at losing him.

 

Rafa obviously trusts him in a way he doesn't trust Riise, and I guess being his coach in the youth team at Real Madrid when Arbeloa 'made it' means he knows all about him.

Edited September 2, 2007 by tuseef786

[So Cal Red]

in terms of highest return on least money spent, i'd say Arbeloa is Rafa's best signing!

[New York Red]

Last winters signings: Arbeloa and Mascherano

Winter 2006: Agger

 

Think we'll get someone superb this winter?

[MFletcher]

Arbeloa is just a consistently excellent player - to pick him up for £2.65M is unbelievable.

 

The terrifying thing is we could have had Lucas Neill in the line-up instead.

[Bootle Buck]

He is the left sided version of Ste Finnan. Understated, yet the best in the business. Agger is immense too.

[_00_deathscar]

Agger's pass for Arbeloa (Babel's goal) was f***ing class.

[Herbie von Smalls]

in terms of highest return on least money spent, i'd say Arbeloa is Rafa's best signing!

£ for £, eh?

[Koogan]

He has been great, hasn't he?

 

He looks frail, but he really seems to cope well with the physical game. And like someone said, his game is oozing with intelligence and he keeps his cool (even when he's stamped on) and doesn't take no s*** from nobody.

 

Signing-wise he could be Rafa's Hyypia.

[hideNseek]

in terms of highest return on least money spent, i'd say Arbeloa is Rafa's best signing!

That'll be Voronin.

[gkmacca]

He's got a Chris Lawler-like coolness about his play, IMHO, and he's getting better and better. A great signing.

[johngibo YPC]

Arbeloa is just a consistently excellent player - to pick him up for £2.65M is unbelievable.

 

The terrifying thing is we could have had Lucas Neill in the line-up instead.

 

please never bring that up ever again!!

[jon_hall]

Deportivo fans are still gutted he left them.

 

Even more so that he is playing so well.

 

Our gain.

[bazz]

Re-watch the highlights again - himself and Pennant were outstanding on the left. Riise is going to have a big problem getting to be first choice again. I think it could be over for him and will turn into a squad player, especially the way Arbeloa is playing.....and we have Fabio AND Kewell to return aswell!!