I think he's an unsung hero and is pretty underrated. People talk about Rafael, Bosingwa, Sagna and others but I think Arbeloa just doesn't get the recognition he deserves.
Two reasons why mate
1 - he plays for Liverpool and our lesser name players if you like don't get mentioned. Look at Insua for example, not even in the running for young player of the year which is why the awards are no way to judge a player. Reina, best keeper in the land for the last three or four years but it's still Cech, Van Der Sar, Jaskallienan, Friedel and Given who get the plaudits. So because Arby is a lesser name people do not notice him, fortunately the majority of fans of this club and the manager of this club do notice what he brings. He's a top quality full back and without being biased I'd say he's as good as anything in the league. Once he knocks the silly fouls on the head, he'll be fine all round defender. The only work needed then would be his attacking which for a right back isn't bad.
2 - he didn't cost the end of the earth. Pundits on the telly are of the belief that if a player cost a lot of money he must be a good player. That's why the likes of Bosinghwa is raved about when he's actually been a huge disappointment. Again you only need to look at the likes of Agger and Skrtel, both relatively cheap in comparison to the of the league so hardly get a mention. But huge transfers such as Carvalho and Ferdinand who are not much better, if at all, than our Dane and Slovak. So because of Arby's cheap fee, he goes under the radar.
What Arbeloa has proved is that Rafa Benitez knows a good transfer bargain when he sees one. Benitez is good at shopping at the lower end of the transfer market which is one reason why when people bemoan our lack of transfer funds holding us back from winning titles holds no weight. He buys quality players on the cheap and Arbeloa is just another to add to the list.
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