Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa – “We’ve been robbed of seven La Liga titles”

Arbeloa was also asked if he would vote for Perez in the elections that he called on Tuesday night.

“I’m not a member, so… I’m not going to vote. I’ve known Real Madrid without Florentino. I know what it was like before he arrived and I know what it’s been like these past 26 years. I’ll stick with these 26 years. Real Madrid fans have realized what Florentino has done, beyond the titles. If there’s anyone capable of turning this situation around, it’s Florentino Perez.”

Have Real Madrid hit rock bottom?

Regardless of the reasons, Arbeloa was quizzed on the fact that Real Madrid had now gone two years without a major trophy.

“The double standard has always been there. We can’t deny that we’ve gone two years without titles. How many teams have gone longer? How many teams have won the European Cups we’ve won in recent years? I think the members aren’t stupid. What hurts them is the daily mistreatment from many people.”

He was also asked if Los Blancos had ‘hit rock bottom’, with the likes of Toni Kroos describing their performance over the last two years as ‘unacceptable’ in recent days.

“I find the question surprising… What are the other clubs doing then? We haven’t gone 50 years without winning anything. It’s clear that if Real Madrid is where it is, it’s because of its high standards and its constant drive to improve. I don’t know if anyone here dares to say that Real Madrid won’t win anything next year. I don’t. I don’t understand this feeling of institutional instability, of a divided dressing room…”

“Real Madrid has been doing many things right for a long time, it’s financially sound, well-managed, with great players, and I’m sure that in the summer the club will do the necessary analysis to strengthen the team and make it even stronger. But this is sport; you don’t win the European Cup every year, or La Liga. With level-headedness and high standards, Real Madrid will win again, I’m sure of it.”

Real Madrid face Real Oviedo at the Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday night, where the reaction of the fanbase will be watched closely by many. With elections on the horizon, there is little sign of any real danger of Perez losing, but he is being questioned more than ever.