Kylian Mbappe has sensationally claimed that Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa now considers him as the club’s fourth-choice striker.It comes after the France captain was benched on his return from injury in Thursday’s 2-0 win over Real Oviedo.Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa opted for a new-look attack against La Liga’s bottom sideAFPKylian Mbappe had to settle for a 20-minute cameo role in Thursday’s win over Real OviedoGettyMbappe, whose popularity has plummeted among the club’s fan base in recent weeks, was whistled by his own supporters as he entered the Bernabeu pitch as a 69th-minute substitute.The 27-year-old watched on as Arbeloa opted for a new-look attack of Vinicius Junior, Franco Mastantuono and Gonzalo Garcia with the latter opening the scoring for Los Blancos just before the interval, before Jude Bellingham added a second ten minutes from time.A thigh injury had ruled Mbappe out of his side’s last two matches including Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Barcelona which handed the Catalans a second-consecutive La Liga title.The former Paris Saint-Germain forward has been the subject of an online petition titled ‘Mbappe Out’ which has garnered 73 million signatures despite having netted a staggering 41 goals in 42 matches this season.Mbappe’s big claimFollowing Thursday’s win, the Frenchman told reporters that he was ready to start the match but Arbeloa was unable to as Arbeloa had changed the hierarchy of strikers in his squad.“I’m 100 per cent fine,” Mbappe said. “I haven’t played because for the coach I’ve been the fourth striker in the squad behind Mastantuono, Vini and Gonzalo.”“I was ready to start, it’s his decision (Arbeloa) and it always has to be respected.”“I have no problem at all with Arbeloa,” he continued. “You have to accept the coach’s philosophy and I have to do better to play ahead of Vini, Gonzalo and Mastantuono.”In his post-match press conference, Arbeloa refuted Mbappe’s claims saying the forward was not in a position to start the match having missed Sunday’s trip to the Nou Camp.“I had a conversation with him before the game and I don’t know what he could have interpreted,” the Real Madrid boss said.Whistles rained down on the Frenchman as he entered the pitch and it continued every time he touched the ballGetty“For me it is very clear that a player who four days ago could not be on the bench, today should not start. Especially because it’s not a final, it’s not a game of life or death.”He also shot down Mbappe’s idea that he had been relegated to fourth-choice striker.“I wish I had four forwards,” Arbeloa said in response to Mbappe. “I don’t have four forwards, and I certainly didn’t say anything like that to Mbappe.“Perhaps he didn’t understand me. I don’t know what else to tell you. At no point could I tell him that he’s the fourth-choice forward.“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 how he might have interpreted it.Turbulent seasonReal have missed out on a major trophy for the second year in a row coinciding with Mbappe’s arrival at the club in 2024.Arbeloa was less than impressed with Mbappe’s post-match commentsGettyThis season’s failures have been met with far greater toxicity with reports of unrest within the dressing room.That led to president Florentino Perez calling an emergency press conference in midweek where he hit out at those trying to undermine the club.He also made his stance clear on the under fire Frenchman stating: “Mbappe is the best player that Real Madrid have at the moment. He has won the Golden Boot, it will not be for scoring goals. But something needs to be improved.And Mbappe responded to his president with a similarly themed tribute, saying: “Florentino Perez is the best president in the world. We are lucky to have him. Do not forget what he has done for Real Madrid,”Criticism was aimed at Mbappe after images surfaced of him on a yacht in Sardinia with his girlfriend while his teammates were in action against Espanyol.Mbappe was granted time off to recover from his injury however fans and pundits took exception to the timing of his trip.Asked about the whistles aimed at him as he entered the pitch on Thursday night, Mbappe told reporters: “The whistles… that’s life, you can’t change the opinion of the people when they are angry.“It’s the life of a Real Madrid player and a famous player like me.“Footballers don’t always have to understand, they have to accept and look forward and change the situation.”