The caretaker head coach took charge in January following Xabi Alonso's departure and has presided over a turbulent few months.
Real Madrid lost La Liga to Barcelona on Sunday, exited the Champions League at the quarter-final stage to Bayern Munich, and last week saw a dressing room confrontation between Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde. Florentino Pérez held a press conference on Tuesday that lit further fires. José Mourinho is reported to be in final negotiations to take over.
Arbeloa opened by addressing the atmosphere he expects inside the Bernabéu.
"I have always said that Real Madrid is stronger when its fans and the team are together. That has been the case throughout history — we are a family. We always come back. Real Madrid always comes back. The demand is very high, we are never satisfied. Losing hurts, more than at other clubs. We will win again with the support of our fans."
"There's a double standard — it has always been there. We've gone two years without titles, others have gone many more. How many have won as many Champions Leagues as we have? And yet the club's stability is called into question. But the members are not stupid, they understand, and they are hurt by this treatment."
On Pérez's press conference and the Negreira case, he refused to comment on his president's words directly, but made clear where he stood.
"I'm not here to comment on the president's press conference. Every Madrid fan agrees that we must defend the interests of Real Madrid. We're treated differently from other clubs in the world. If this club has one strength, it is its members. Nobody is going to tell us how to think, how to be, or how to act."
"Of course — we all know what has happened over the last 20 years, as far as we know. There are probably things we don't know. It would be good if the Negreira case were resolved. It is clearly neither legal nor makes sense for those of us who are part of football. It seems remarkable that only football is defending legality. It is a feeling that all Madrid fans share."
On the question of whether he had hit rock bottom as a club, he pushed back firmly.
"I found that surprising. What do other clubs touch, then? We haven't gone 50 years without winning anything. It's clear that Real Madrid is where it is because of its demands and refusal to accept mediocrity. I don't know if anyone here dares to say that Real Madrid won't win anything next year. I don't. I don't understand this feeling of institutional instability, of a divided dressing room. Real Madrid has been doing many things well for a long time — financially healthy, well run, great players. In the summer, the club will do the necessary analysis to strengthen the squad. But this is sport. You don't win the Champions League every year, or La Liga. With intelligence and high standards, Real Madrid will win again. I'm certain of it."
On Carvajal, who returned to training on Wednesday after being left out of Spain's World Cup long-list, Arbeloa was candid.
"I haven't spoken to him about the preliminary squad. It's a shame — I would always have him in my team, for what he brings on and off the pitch. We have to respect the opinions of other coaches, but it is a pity he can't represent the national team. I understand he'll be available tomorrow. I hope he can finish the season with some minutes."
He deflected every question about his own future and whether he would consider a role under Mourinho.
"I understand the questions — I would ask the same ones if I were sitting there. But my philosophy since I sat in this chair has never been to look out for myself, or the future, or what might be best for Álvaro Arbeloa. It has always been about what is best for Real Madrid. Once the league season is over, I'll be able to answer those questions. Right now, it's time to think about Oviedo."