Trent Alexander-Arnold has been dropped back to the bench as he continues to find life tough at Real Madrid.

The England international got just three minutes of action against Real Oviedo in Real Madrid’s second league match of the season before returning to the starting XI for the 2-1 home win over Real Mallorca.

But Xabi Alonso turned back to the experience of Dani Carvajal on Saturday afternoon for Real Madrid’s clash at Real Sociedad.

Asked about the battle between Alexander-Arnold and Carvajal to become the defacto No 1, Alonso explained that it is far from straightforward for either player to do so.

‘Fortunately, we have healthy competition within the team, and they’re challenged internally because there are team-mates who are ready,’ Alonso said in the past week.

‘It also happens in other positions, like centre back or winger. Whoever deserves it will play; it’s going to be very repetitive all year.’

Trent Alexander-Arnold (left) had to contend with being dropped by Xabi Alonso once again
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Trent Alexander-Arnold (left) had to contend with being dropped by Xabi Alonso once again

The experienced Dani Carvajal (right) was preferred once again to Alexander-Arnold by Alonso
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The experienced Dani Carvajal (right) was preferred once again to Alexander-Arnold by Alonso

Carvajal brings a wealth of experience and has been the preferred option in Alonso’s early days in charge at the Bernabeu.

Alexander-Arnold proves a more attacking option but with so much firepower already in attacking areas, Alonso and Real Madrid are going with a defensive-first approach at the back.

It presents a delicate balancing act for Alonso as to when to best utilise Alexander-Arnold and when to go with Carvajal.

Not that they are having any issues when it comes to results so far – and that extended to Saturday’s away match in San Sebastian.

Kylian Mbappe fired Los Blancos into a 12th-minute lead, before young Turkish midfielder Arda Guler doubled their advantage before half-time.