Mbappe's 'fourth-choice striker' claims strongly denied by Arbeloa

Alvaro Arbeloa insisted he did not tell Kylian Mbappe he is the "fourth-choice striker" at Real Madrid.

Mbappe made his return from injury in Madrid's 2-0 win over Real Oviedo on Thursday, assisting Jude Bellingham after coming off the bench.

Gonzalo Garcia, who led the Madrid attack, scored the opener at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Converting 33.3% of his shots (excluding those blocked), Garcia has the best success rate among the 17 Madrid goalscorers this season in all competitions (11 goals).

Los Blancos have also won 20 of their 21 LaLiga matches played at home on a Thursday, losing only their first such match against Barcelona in May 1929.

However, headlines after the match were dominated by Mbappe, who claimed Garcia, Vinicius Junior and Franco Mastantuono are ahead of him in the pecking order.

"I'm very well, one hundred percent [fit]," said Mbappe.

"I haven't played because I'm the manager's fourth-choice striker. I accept it and play the time they give me. I gave an assist to Jude and you always have to be positive.

"I was ready to be a starter. I'm not angry with the manager; you always have to respect a coach's decision. I'll work hard to get back into the starting lineup.

"I prefer to speak here. There are people who don't speak, and I look at the press to find out what they think, but I prefer to speak here; it's clearer.

"[I have] No problem with Arbeloa. We have to respect the coach's decision. Everyone has their own ideas and philosophy. I have to work to be better than Gonzalo, Mastantuono, and Vini to get playing time."

Arbeloa responded in his press conference, insisting it would have been illogical to start Mbappe so soon after returning from injury.

"I wish I had four strikers," said Arbeloa. "I don't have four strikers, and I haven't said anything like that to Mbappe.

"He probably didn't understand me. I don't really know what to tell you. I could never have told him he's the fourth striker.

"It's clear that if I don't play him, he can't play. I'm the coach, and I'm the one who decides who plays and who doesn't.

"I had a conversation with him before the match. I don't know what he might have interpreted.

"A player who wasn't on the bench four days ago shouldn't have started today. It's not a final, it's not a do-or-die situation.

"I don't have any problem with anyone. I can understand that Mbappe isn't happy about not playing, but it's a decision based on the circumstances."