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Alvaro Arbeloa: 'Rafael Benitez will improve Real Madrid'

Alvaro Arbeloa is adamant that Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez will improve the players as they hunt a first Liga title since 2012.

Real Madrid right-back Alvaro Arbeloa has backed coach Rafael Benitez to prove successful during his time in charge of the Spanish giants.

The 55-year-old replaced axed Carlo Ancelotti in the summer as president Florentino Perez opted for changes after the Blancos endured a trophyless season last term.

Benitez previously signed Arbeloa for Liverpool in 2007, and the 32-year-old is convinced that Real will improve collectively and individually as a result of his methods.

"Once it became known that he was going to return, everyone started asking me about [Benitez]," he told the Madrid official website.

"Rafa is a very methodical coach, a very hard worker, highly demanding and I assure you that we are going to become better players."

Real, who drew 0-0 away to Sporting Gijon in their Liga opener before beating Real Betis 5-0 last time out, face Espanyol away on Saturday afternoon.

The Blancos, who won the Champions League under Ancelotti in 2014, have not won a Liga title since the 2011-12 campaign.

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Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring his second goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Real Betis Balompie at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on August 29, 2015
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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