Xabi Alonso Faces Pressure Similar to Arteta’s Arsenal Struggles

Xabi Alonso‘s tenure at Real Madrid is starting to mirror the intense scrutiny that Mikel Arteta faced during a tumultuous period at Arsenal in late 2020. As the Gunners found themselves spiraling towards the relegation zone, the media narrative turned into a relentless countdown to Arteta’s potential sacking. Back then, publications like The Guardian highlighted the precarious state of the club with headlines such as “Arteta on the brink.” Sky Sports posed the question, “How much time does Arteta have left?” Meanwhile, The Athletic suggested that the players had grown disenchanted, with a piece titled “Arsenal look lost and directionless under Arteta.”

Fast forward to the present, and Alonso is grappling with a similar atmosphere at Madrid. Following a disheartening loss to Celta Vigo, concerns are mounting that his tactical ideas are not resonating with the squad. The team appears hesitant in possession and struggles with pressing, leading to a lack of cohesion on the pitch. Players seem unclear about their roles, and Alonso’s approach is not yielding the clarity typically associated with his coaching style.

Alonso’s Tactical Dilemmas

Critics have pointed out that Alonso’s decision-making—both in terms of line-ups and in-game management—has raised eyebrows. Many believe he lost the dressing room after a disappointing defeat to Atlético Madrid and failed to effectively manage Vinícius Júnior‘s controversial substitution outburst. This situation echoes early criticisms faced by managers like Jürgen Klopp during his initial days at Liverpool and Luis Enrique at PSG as they attempted to reshape their respective club cultures.

High Stakes for Madrid

The pressure on Alonso is exacerbated by Real Madrid’s unique context. Unlike clubs that may afford their coaches time to adapt or experiment, Madrid has thrived over the past 15 years by eschewing conventional football trends and prioritizing player power and individual expression. Alonso has been tasked with tightening control over a squad that has long enjoyed creative freedom, a challenge that appears more daunting than he anticipated.

As results continue to falter, the specter of being compared to former managers like Rafael Benítez or Julen Lopetegui looms large in the minds of both fans and media alike. With each passing match, Alonso must make critical decisions that could either steer his team back on course or further entrench him in controversy. This Wednesday night presents another crucial opportunity for him to demonstrate his capability as a coach—will he rise to the occasion or fall into familiar patterns of uncertainty?