Anaitz Arbilla (Eibar) praises the team spirit behind 21/24

Anaitz Arbilla, Eibar’s captain at 39, tells MARCA that the side’s leadership and strong start in Segunda are built on a “humble and solid” block, not just money. The club sits top with 21 points from 24 games, and the defender says they’re “neither surprised nor euphoric.”

He links the turnaround to last season’s second half: general self-criticism, internal talks and the decision to be less “too bold” in moments when the style wasn’t working. This campaign, he believes the team is showing more direct play, arriving with more speed and fewer passes, and aiming to attack to score—backed by a run of seven straight wins.

Arbilla also highlights continuity despite the coaching change from San José to Aranbarri, arguing that “what mattered was the core stayed united”. He adds that the younger players are increasingly present: he recalls meeting Mada in the youth teams after major injuries, and says it’s “something very special” to see those pathways reach the first team.