Álvaro Arbeloa was effusive in his praise for Arda Güler’s audacious long-distance strike, describing it as a “work of art” following Real Madrid’s commanding 4-1 victory over Elche this past Saturday. The young midfielder etched his name in the record books with an extraordinary lob from well inside his own half, leaving Elche goalkeeper Matías Dituro utterly stunned in the 89th minute at the iconic Bernabéu stadium.
This sensational goal was the cherry on top of a dominant performance that saw goals from Antonio Rüdiger, Federico Valverde, and Dean Huijsen, propelling Real Madrid to within a single point of league leaders Barcelona, who were set to play on Sunday. Güler’s remarkable feat, measured at an astonishing 68.6 meters (approximately 75.02 yards), has been officially recognized as the longest goal scored in LaLiga over the last fifteen seasons.
“We should frame it and hang it on a wall,” Arbeloa remarked to Real Madrid TV, still buzzing from the spectacle. “It’s amazing. Wonderful. I saw everyone throw their hands up in amazement, and I did too. It was worth having paid for a ticket, or two or three, to see what he did.”
Elche’s coach, Eder Sarabia, while undoubtedly disappointed by the outcome, could not help but acknowledge the brilliance of Güler’s strike. “Arda Güler is a colossal player,” Sarabia stated. “We lost the ball unnecessarily, and then one of the best players in the world appears. We’ve been conceding a lot of great goals. Those details that went our way in the first half of the season are now going against us. But alongside that anger and sadness, as a football fan, it’s an incredible goal. You need the ability to see it, and then to execute it.”
The victory was particularly significant for Real Madrid as they strategically rested key players ahead of their crucial Champions League round of 16 second leg against Manchester City, scheduled for Tuesday. The squad fielded against Elche featured a notable contingent of five substitutes aged 21 or younger, showcasing the club’s deep pool of emerging talent.
For Arbeloa, who managed the team in this fixture, the night was a source of immense personal satisfaction. He expressed that he could “die happy after a night like this,” having guided a team composed of many homegrown talents he had personally coached during their formative years at Real Madrid’s esteemed academy.
“For someone who came up through the youth ranks myself and made it to the first team, this is a day of immense happiness and pride,” Arbeloa shared, his voice filled with emotion. “It reminded me of the Real Madrid of the [legendary ’80s side] Quinta del Buitre era. I’m so happy to see them play and show the talent they possess. … It’s a day to remember for Madrid fans.”
Looking ahead to the daunting challenge against Manchester City, Arbeloa provided an update on the fitness of star forward Kylian Mbappé, who is currently recovering from a knee sprain. “Tomorrow, we’ll train at Valdebebas, we’ll try Mbappé out, and we’ll see how he feels,” Arbeloa confirmed. “I hope he’ll be available. If he can be in Manchester, that will be great news.”
The performance against Elche not only secured vital league points but also offered a tantalizing glimpse into the future of Real Madrid, brimming with youthful exuberance and undeniable skill, underscored by the unforgettable brilliance of Arda Güler’s “work of art.”
