Alvaro Arbeloa Praises Rafa Benitez, Defends Real Madrid Boss After Criticism

Real Madrid full-back Alvaro Arbeloa believes the Los Blancos squad are "more united" than they have ever been thanks to the impact of new manager Rafael Benitez.

Arbeloa previously played under Benitez at Liverpool between 2007 and 2009, and he believes that his fellow Spaniard will help Los Blancos to improve after a trophy-less season in 2014-15.

The 32-year-old also rubbished any suggestion that there is hostility toward Benitez in the Real dressing room, per the club's official website: 

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He has gotten off to a very good start. While you might hear that certain people aren't happy with him or that he shows more affection to certain players, for me, at this stage of the game, nothing surprises me anymore. It doesn't matter which manager we have because there will always be people out there looking to portray an image of the team that isn't true. The team is more united than ever. Following a year in which we failed to meet the targets we set for ourselves, we know this year is very important for us and we have to be extremely united. 

"

Benitez took up the managerial role at the Bernabeu in June following the dismissal of Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season.

Early in his tenure reports emerged about a rift between the 55-year-old manager and Real's star player Cristiano Ronaldo, per MailOnline's Pete Jenson.

Benitez was also criticised for being overly defensive in setting out his team for Real's 0-0 draw with Sporting Gijon on the opening day of the new La Liga season, per Reuter's Iain Rogers (h/t the Daily Mail).

However, Arbeloa indicates that all is well under the new boss, and Los Blancos do seem to be finding their feet with Benitez at the helm.

The goalless draw with Gijon was followed by a 5-0 thrashing of Real Betis.

Real's other superstar, Gareth Bale, certainly seems to be thriving under Benitez having been moved into a more central role by the former Napoli boss—the Welshman netted a superb double against Betis.

Benitez also recently received strong backing from club president Florentino Perez, per Sport Witness:

Arbeloa is yet to play in La Liga under Benitez this season, but he may get his opportunities in the coming weeks after first-choice right-back Danilo was ruled out of action for a spell, per Real.

However, he will be 33 in January and will likely only be used sparingly in the coming season.

If Arbeloa's assertion of the squad unity under Benitez is correct then Real will be a force to be reckoned with this season, and the defender may just be adding to his healthy medal haul come the end of 2015-16.