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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
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid17114237162137
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal157532725226
7Osasuna176742225-325
8Real Sociedad167361611524
9GironaGirona176472325-222
10Sevilla176471823-522
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


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