Xabi Alonso has insisted he was happy with what he saw from Trent Alexander-Arnold in the right back’s first outing for Real Madrid on Wednesday. Alexander-Arnold, whose free transfer from Liverpool was brought forward for the Club World Cup for a fee of €10 million (£8.

Arsenal and Real Madrid have been locked in a transfer battle for Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi since the start of June. The Gunners have been tracking the Spain international for over 12 months - following his call to reject Liverpool last summer - with Mikel Arteta viewing him as a vital acquisition.