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Questions surrounding Clash between midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurelien Choumeni Dominated the press conference of Arbeloa on Saturday.
The incident ruled Valverde out of El Clásico due to concussion symptoms, while both players were fined 500,000 euros (£432,000) following a club investigation.
Choumeni returned to training on Friday and remains available for the match, although Arbeloa refused to confirm whether the France international would start.
“The players have admitted their mistake, expressed their regret and apologized. That’s enough for me,” Arbeloa told reporters.
“These two players deserve to turn the page for us and allow them to continue fighting for this club. I am very proud of them. I will not let this be used to question their professionalism.”
Former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Spain defender Arbeloa also suggested dressing-room disputes were not uncommon in elite football environments.
“I had a teammate who picked up a golf club and drove it at another player,” the 43-year-old said.
“What happens in the Real Madrid dressing room should stay in the Real Madrid dressing room and that’s what hurts me the most.”
Arbeloa was referring to an incident during his time at Liverpool in 2007, when a rift between Craig Bellamy and John Arne Rice escalated during a training camp in Portugal. Bellamy confronts his teammate With a golf club.
“These are situations that have always happened, although I’m certainly not advocating it,” Arbeloa added.
“It was an incident and we’re unfortunate that it ended up being a blow to the Fed. It’s more unfortunate than anything else.”
The Madrid coach also accepted responsibility for the situation.
“If you want someone to blame, I’m here,” he said.
Despite the controversy, Arbeloa insisted the focus will remain on Sunday’s meeting with Barcelona.
“We face the Clasico with the ambition to do well and win.”
Arbeloa does not appear to have a long-term future in his current post, with reports in Spain already linking a number of high-profile names to the role next season, including Jose Mourinho.
Pressure has also intensified on club president Florentino Perez, with questions raised over a period that has seen Real Madrid go through three managers in two campaigns without lifting a trophy.
The club’s next appointment is now seen as one of the most important decisions of Perez’s presidency, as Madrid look to restore stability and competitiveness after a tumultuous season on and off the field.
Despite the scrutiny, Arbeloa staunchly defended the 79-year-old president.
“There is no one more ready to turn this situation around than Florentino Perez,” he said.
“I remember how the club was before his arrival. He is the president with the most titles in the history of Real Madrid and he has brought the club back to where it belongs. We all have to fight together.”
