Álvaro Arbeloa

Álvaro Arbeloa Coca (born 17 January 1983 in Salamanca, Castilla y León) is a Spain association football player. Álvaro Arbeloa is a predominantly Defender (association football) Full back, although Álvaro Arbeloa can play as a Defender (association football) Centre back and Álvaro Arbeloa started most of Álvaro Arbeloa early games in the 2007–08 in English football season as Defender (association football) Full back.

Club career

Real Madrid

After signing as a teenager for Real Madrid, Arbeloa then played for the youth team. Álvaro Arbeloa then graduated to the reserve team, and played for the first team twice.

Deportivo

On 24 July 2006 Arbeloa signed for Deportivo de La Coruña, following in teammate Roberto Soldado's footsteps. Arbeloa said: "This is a strange situation for me, I have been playing for Real Madrid for a year, since I was 16 years old. Real was nothing but good to me, but it's time for me to go. Real Madrid C.F. have the best players in the world and although that is great for the club, unfortunately that's not so great for cantera players; only a few of us can find their place in the first team, and even those who do find their place in the first team like Álvaro Mejía and Francisco Pavón are only third or fourth pick and that is why I want to leave the club to a club where I can get some regular playing time, in La Liga of course. Deportivo de La Coruña is one of the best clubs in Spain and with Joaquín Caparrós as head coach I will certainly get more experience, and get better, what is most important is that Álvaro Arbeloa will have confidence in me. I have enjoyed my time at Real, and I thank everybody who helped me. I'm leaving Real Madrid to play more football, no other reason." At Deportivo, Álvaro Arbeloa played 20 games without scoring, being a defender though scoring isn't Álvaro Arbeloa job.

Liverpool

On 31 January 2007, Arbeloa signed for England FA Premier League club Liverpool F.C, for a fee of around 4 million euros, with Real Madrid receiving 50% of the fee. Álvaro Arbeloa made Álvaro Arbeloa Premiership debut on 10 February against Newcastle United F.C., coming as a substitute for Jermaine Pennant. Álvaro Arbeloa made Álvaro Arbeloa full debut against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League at the Nou Camp, where Álvaro Arbeloa was employed as a left-back. This was done by coach Rafael Benítez for tactical reasons, as Álvaro Arbeloa stronger right foot could stop Lionel Messi, because Messi has a tendency to cut Álvaro Arbeloa runs towards the center of the field. Álvaro Arbeloa part in keeping Messi quiet helped Liverpool to a 2–1 win over the defending champions. Álvaro Arbeloa scored Álvaro Arbeloa first goal for Liverpool against Reading FC on 7 April 2007, becoming both the first Liverpool number 2 to score in a competitive match since Mike Marsh (footballer) scored in a League Cup 4th Round replay against Crystal Palace on 16 December 1992 and the first Liverpool number 2 to score in the Premier League since Mike Marsh (footballer) scored against Crystal Palace on 28 November 1992. Álvaro Arbeloa helped Liverpool to the 2007 UEFA Champions League Final, and came on as a susbtitute as they went down 2–1 to AC Milan.

Arbeloa's squad number changed from 2 to 17 as a personal preference for the 2007–08 in English football. Continuing Álvaro Arbeloa good form from the latter stages of the 2007–2008 season, Arbeloa has cemented a first team place in the Liverpool team following good performances during Liverpool's victories over fierce rivals Manchester United F.C. and Chelsea F.C..

On May 18 2009, in a match against West Bromwich Albion F.C., Arbeloa was involved in an on-field clash with Liverpool teammate Jamie Carragher.The two were soon separated by Xabi Alonso, José Manuel Reina, Daniel Agger and Emiliano Insúa. This was caused by Carragher wanting Liverpool to keep a clean sheet from West Bromwich Albion F.C. for the 23rd time. The Liverpool vice-captain explained, "We want to keep a clean sheet and we want Pepe to have a chance of the Golden Glove for the third season running.", Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez refused to comment about the incident.

International career

On 1 February 2008 Álvaro Arbeloa was called up to the full Spanish national team squad for the first time, to play France in a friendly match in Malaga on 6 February, although Álvaro Arbeloa was forced to pull out because of injury. Álvaro Arbeloa made Álvaro Arbeloa international debut on 26 March against Italy national football team squad for Euro 2008, starting the first round match against Greece national football team.

Arbeloa continued in the Spain National Football Team through to the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup where Álvaro Arbeloa helped Spain to the semi-finals.

Honors and awards

International

- UEFA European Football Championship

Club

- UEFA Champions League