Under new coach Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid have adopted a strategy focused on structured control and smart positioning for the 2025/2026 season.
Arda Güler has thrived in this new system, transforming from a promising player into a key creative force for the team.
Playing mainly in the right half-space as No. 10 in a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3 formation.
As a right winger within Alonso’s flexible formations, Güler has become the model player for this new era.
He constantly scans the field, excels in tight situations, and controls the game’s rhythm.
His sharp first touch, clever passing, and ability to handle pressure make him a perfect fit for Alonso’s style of play.
Güler is now involved in every stage of the attack, from building up plays to creating chances in the final third, effectively connecting the midfield with the forwards.
This scout report analyses Arda Güler’s performance in the 2025/2026 season under Xabi Alonso’s management.
It examines his role, on-ball skills, creative choices, and defensive growth using examples from La Liga matches.
The football analysis reveals how his development has made him a vital part of Real Madrid’s new identity on the field.
Arda Güler Positioning & Role
Arda Güler has become a key playmaker from the right half-space in Xabi Alonso tactics.
He’s more than just a winger or midfielder; Güler now connects the deeper midfielders with the attackers, dictating the pace and shape of the team’s attacks.
Without the ball, Güler plays on the inside right of Madrid’s flexible formation (which shifts between a 4-2-3-1 and 3-2-2-3 when building attacks).
He finds space between the opposition’s midfielders and defenders, typically in the right half-space.
He plays as a right winger with an interior style, which allows the full-backs and wingers to stay wide.
When his team has the ball, Güler finds space between the opponent’s midfield and defensive lines.
Though he starts on the right, he quickly moves inward, clearing the flank for the full-back or winger to push wide.
This tactic helps Los Blancos dominate the central areas and draw the opposing defence out of position.
By the time he gets the ball, he has already scanned the field.
He demonstrated excellent awareness and anticipation, heading in the equalising goal from a tight spot in the right half-space after a lay-off from Dean Huijsen.
This goal was a perfect example of his smart positioning, allowing him to get into an advanced central area just behind the defence using clever timing instead of just speed.
Without the ball, Güler’s role shows a mature understanding of Alonso’s principles: he doesn’t chase across the flank but cuts passing options for the adversary’s pivot and guides transitions back into Madrid’s shape.
These are two sequences from matches against Real Sociedad and RCD Mallorca, highlighting Arda Güler’s discipline without the ball, particularly his positioning within the defensive shape and his awareness during defensive transitions.
He has clearly transitioned from a winger on the outside to a central playmaker.
His movement, positioning, and timing are now perfectly in tune with the tactical plans of Madrid’s coach, Alonso.
Although he is still developing physically, his understanding of space and his specific role have matured significantly.
Arda Güler On-Ball Quality
By building on his natural talents, including a clean first touch, sharp awareness, and accurate passing, Arda Güler has improved his positioning and decision-making, enabling him to influence the game at all stages.
Güler’s first-touch control in tight spaces remains a standout feature.
His ability to receive on the half-turn, often between the opponent’s mid-block and defensive line, allows him to compress the tempo of play before accelerating it.
His short passing is now precise and more purposeful.
When he exchanges passes with a central midfielder or a forward, he often disguises the direction and applies the perfect amount of power, which makes it difficult for defenders to cut them out, as seen here versus Real Oviedo.
His sharp movements when linking with teammates to advance the ball from midfield.
The review also pointed out his talent for finding passing channels that seem almost closed off, making him a valuable player for breaking through a compact, defensive setup.
Güler is no longer limited to simple passes; he has broadened his passing abilities.
He now makes more regular attempts at forward-thinking, progressive passes and deliveries that cut through the opponent’s defensive lines.
This development shows his evolving importance as a “tempo-regulator” in Madrid’s system.
He can now dictate the pace of the game, choosing to maintain possession with patient passing or launch quick, vertical attacks when the moment is right.
His improved passing is key to his successful transition into a central role.
While he previously influenced the game from the wing, his ability to now control the flow from the middle of the pitch makes him a more complete and unpredictable player, capable of unlocking defences in multiple ways.
Here is an example versus Atlético Madrid.
Dribbling is another essential part of his skill set.
However, he doesn’t rely on the explosive speed of a typical winger.
Instead, his dribbling is based on clever manipulation of the ball and his opponent.
To evade defenders, he employs subtle body movements, quick changes of direction, and variations in his speed.
His tight control with his left foot and low centre of gravity make him very difficult to dispossess in one-on-one situations.
In the final third, his decision-making is now much clearer.
He effectively judges whether to dribble, pass to a teammate, or attempt a decisive final ball, and his timing has noticeably improved.
Rather than rushing a forward pass, he often takes an extra touch to draw defenders in before playing the ball into the newly created space.
This patient approach is effective for Real Madrid when they transition into attack or try to break down a compact defence.
Arda Güler is still in the early stages of his development and does not yet match the shot volume or final output of the top-tier playmakers he emulates.
However, during the 2025/2026 season, his skill with the ball has become a significant factor in defining Real Madrid’s offensive strategy under Alonso, moving beyond mere “promise” to actively shape their identity.
Arda Güler Decision-Making & Creativity
Arda Güler has shown significant growth in his decision-making and creativity.
He is increasingly skilled at blending patience with sudden bursts of speed.
He can bait a defender by holding onto the ball for an extra moment before either making a precise pass or accelerating into an open area.
The most noticeable change this season is the improved maturity in his decision-making.
Previously, he might have defaulted to a flashy move or an opportunistic shot.
Now, under Alonso’s guidance, he seems to prioritise making the most effective play in any given situation.
Here is his assist against Barcelona in El Clásico, which was later ruled offside for Kylian Mbappé, yet it effectively showcases Arda Güler’s aggressive pressing and quick decision-making, reading the situation early, winning the ball high, and executing a decisive forward pass within seconds of recovery.
With Madrid in front, Güler’s intelligent movement in the build-up, drawing defenders out of position, created the space that allowed Bellingham to find the gap and finish clinically.
Güler’s creativity isn’t limited to when he has the ball; his intelligent runs and awareness of space disrupt the opponent’s defensive shape, creating openings for his teammates to attack.
Arda Güler’s tactical understanding and technical skills work hand-in-hand.
He doesn’t just follow instructions; he actively creates opportunities in the field.
While he can still be inconsistent at times, occasionally forcing a pass or holding onto the ball too long when pressured, the 2025/2026 season has seen a significant increase in the quality and impact of his choices.
This improvement in his decision-making aligns with the new tactical direction Real Madrid is taking under Xabi Alonso style of play.
Arda Güler Work Rate & Areas for Development
Arda Güler has significantly improved his defensive work, effort, and positioning.
However, he still needs to develop his defensive discipline and physical strength to protect the ball.
While he is improving at pressing and understanding his position within Alonso’s vertically focused and compact tactical system, he can be inconsistent, especially when defending against counterattacks or when he doesn’t have possession of the ball.
While Arda Güler clearly tries to press and close down opponents, he sometimes loses focus after the initial press.
He also occasionally leaves his assigned area open when the other team breaks through Real Madrid’s first line of defence.
These mistakes highlight that he needs to improve his positional awareness and be more consistent in his defensive actions, specifically in getting back into formation quickly and anticipating threats.
Physically, while Arda Güler’s agility and balance are excellent for avoiding pressure, he struggles to maintain possession of the ball when challenged by opponents, especially in crowded central areas of the field.
His smaller build and lack of upper-body strength can make it hard for him to win physical battles or shield the ball from defenders when he receives it with his back to the goal.
To become a complete midfielder, Arda Güler must develop greater physical resilience to handle challenges from opponents and maintain control of the ball during intense moments of the game.
Improving his strength and endurance will not only help him withstand pressure from defenders but also enable him to have a more consistent impact throughout an entire 90-minute match.
Conclusion
Under Xabi Alonso coaching, Arda Güler is making the critical transition from a promising youngster to a tactically intelligent creative midfielder.
His smart play, calmness under pressure, and control over the team’s attacking tempo have already made him a key player for Real Madrid.
However, despite his advancements, his next step is to elevate his defensive discipline and physical strength to the same level as his technical skill.
If he stays on this path, improving his choices, building his physique, and maintaining concentration without the ball, Güler could become one of Europe’s most complete and exciting attacking midfielders.
