Álvaro Arbeloa’s Real Madrid is beginning to take shape, and the transformation with largely the same squad has been striking in just four matches. Aside from the heavy Copa del Rey defeat against Albacete, Los Blancos have responded with three straight wins: 2-0 against Levante, a commanding 6-1 over Monaco, and a solid 2-0 victory away at the demanding La Cerámica stadium against Villarreal. In that span, the team has scored 12 goals and conceded four.

The early numbers already point to a clear improvement compared to Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid. Arbeloa’s side scores more, averaging three goals per game compared to 2.17. They attempt more shots on target, with 21.5 per match versus 18.8, and control games through possession, averaging 63.9 percent compared to 57.3. The team also completes more passes overall, 618 per game compared to 553, with greater accuracy both in total passes, 555 versus 490, and in the opponent’s half, 86.6 percent compared to 83.7. Assists have increased slightly as well, rising from 1.6 to 1.75 per match. Defensively, Real Madrid are allowing fewer shots on target, dropping from 4.3 per game to just 3.

This shift has translated into greater authority in the opposition’s half and more consistent control of matches. The win against Villarreal, a side that typically dominates possession at home, underlined that change. Real Madrid won the possession battle 58.1 percent to 41.9 and registered more shots on target, 14 to 8.

The most emphatic statement so far came in the 6-1 victory over Monaco, Arbeloa’s biggest win since taking charge. Even Carlo Ancelotti did not manage a scoreline like that last season. What stands out is that this improvement has come without major changes to the squad. Instead, certain players are performing at a higher level under Arbeloa, with Vinícius emerging as the clearest example.

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