Alvaro Arbeloa has admitted his disappointment in seeing Real Madrid teammate Mesut Ozil sold to Arsenal yesterday.
The German completed a last-minute €45m transfer out to the Premier League side on the final day of the summer market, on from Gareth Bale having arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu the day before.
“I am a bit surprised, it’s a shame and a big loss in the dressing room, for the human and footballing aspects,” Arbeloa conceded to reporters today.
“He said goodbye last weekend, but I thought it was a practical joke. He is different, there is nobody like him in the world. He makes the difference.
“The club have their reasons. But we look forward, we have great players. For the fans it will be hard, they were close to him.
“He is a phenomenon, everyone took to him very well. It is a transfer that is very hard.”
Arbeloa’s teammate Nacho Fernandez will join him this week in preparations with Spain for Friday’s World Cup qualifier in Finland.
“I am happy and congratulated him. It recognises how he has been working. I hope he enjoys it, hopefully it won’t be the only time.
“The new faces? There is always competition in the national team, the squad is down to Vicente [del Bosque] and he will have his reasons.
“I am always grateful to be called. I have nothing to say to my critics.”
The full-back was asked for comment on the continued debate over Iker Casillas and Diego Lopez competing between the sticks at Madrid.
“There is no debate. We have three goalkeepers. Whatever the Coach decides, we support him. I’m tired of always saying the same. There is nothing to say on the topic.”
