All change at Real Madrid after Arsenal capitulation: SIX stars slammed as Vini gets 1/10

Robin Bairner

• 9 Apr 2025 03:45 CDT
• 4 min read

News

Real Madrid’s 3-0 Champions League defeat to Arsenal has sent shockwaves through the Bernabeu club, with a half dozen figures picked out as being responsible as the Spanish giants plot changes.

A couple of Declan Rice free kicks set the foundations of a spectacular win for the Premier League outfit, who added a third through makeshift striker Mikel Merino before full-time.

It will now take one of the all-time comebacks for Los Blancos to salvage the situation.

“We were lucky that they only scored three,” Jude Bellingham admitted after the game. “But if any team can do it, it’s Real Madrid. We’ll have to be magic and perfect, but we’re going to do it.”

Bellingham was not one of the five Real Madrid stars picked out for letting the club down on what was a miserable night that threatens to have long-term repercussions.

Real Madrid’s dirty half dozen

Vinicius Junior, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United and the Saudi Pro League in recent times, was hammered by AS. The Brazilian received a score of just 1/10, which was matched by Rodrgyo, who is said to have been “the most absent member of the team”.

Indeed, the whole front three came in for criticism, with Kylian Mbappe only marginally less burned than the aforementioned duo.

“I don't see any other top team where some players are so lazy in defence. I don't know any,” Cadena SER pundit Alvaro Benito said.

“Arsenal has no laziness. They run like airplanes. Real Madrid plays comfortably. The attackers are very comfortable. They don't fight for a direct ball. They don't fight for a ball.

“They live very comfortably, and in today's football, comfort is not generally associated with success. That's the responsibility of Carlo Ancelotti and the players themselves. It's everyone's responsibility. A player who wants to become a champion, like Vinicius, Mbappe, etc., needs to be the first to make the effort.”

In midfield, the fingers were pointed at Eduardo Camavinga, who was sent off late on after committing a litany of fouls, while in the rearguard David Alaba was slammed for his display at left back.

Finally, Carlo Ancelotti may have suffered his decisive defeat.

AS said of the coach: “Mikel Arteta did it against a resigned rival, arms crossed and soulless, exposed for his defensive irresponsibility and a tactical fragility that directly challenges Ancelotti.”

Real Madrid have been warned: changes are coming this summer.