Arnold sends crucial message after impressive display against Málaga

The match started positively for the English full-back, who had Real Madrid's first chance just one minute in, when he fired a shot from the right side that went just over the Málaga goal.

Trent struggled during his first season with Real Madrid due to injuries and instability, as he participated in only 30 matches out of a possible 56, including 21 matches in LaLiga and 9 in the UEFA Champions League. He also missed out on the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España.

Trent has not started the current season as a regular, with the team relying on Denzel Dumfries in the first two matches against RCD Espanyol Barcelona and Real Sociedad, before the English player got his chance against Málaga.

Trent showcased his attacking abilities that he became famous for during his time with Liverpool, as he advanced frequently into attacking areas and participated more actively in build-up play, benefiting from the defensive balance provided by his teammates in the back line.

According to Opta data, Trent touched the ball 117 times, the highest among all Real Madrid players in the match. He was also the most successful in passing, completing 87 passes out of 96, including 16 accurate passes from 21 in the final third of the pitch.

Trent shot twice on target, including a save by Málaga's Alfonso Herrero, and created three chances for his teammates, making him the second most creative player for Real Madrid behind Vinicius Junior, who created four chances.

Trent not only excelled in his attacking role but also made six ball recoveries, making him the third most effective player for Real Madrid in this regard during the match, while delivering 12 crosses.

One of his standout attacking moments was providing an assist to Kylian Mbappé, who scored Real Madrid's third goal, confirming that Trent is capable of delivering the contribution the team has been waiting for since his arrival.

It seems that the competition for the right-back position, along with the confidence he has received from manager José Mourinho, has started to give Trent a new boost, allowing him to appear against Málaga with more vitality and influence compared to last season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold sends a clear message: the competition is not over, and the English full-back still has plenty to offer in a Real Madrid shirt.

Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered an impressive performance during his first start for Real Madrid this season, as he featured against Málaga and showed a different level compared to his form last season.