Mikel Arteta admitted that his squad was left seething after a lack‑luster display that saw Arsenal fall 3‑1 to Spanish LaLiga outfit Real Betis in a pre‑season encounter staged in Dublin. The Gunners started the match on the back foot when Betis goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga failed to secure a corner, allowing Rodrigo Riquelme to tap the ball home from the back post. The visitors then doubled their advantage when Nelson Deossa unleashed a spectacular strike from distance, leaving the Arsenal defence scrambling. Arsenal managed to pull one back before halftime when a freshly signed forward, Christos Tzolis, delivered an inswinging corner that Piero Hincapie met with a glancing header into the net.
However, the Spanish side quickly restored a two‑goal cushion when Pablo Fornals capitalised on a misplaced pass from Kai Havertz, slotting the ball into the bottom corner with composure. The starting line‑up for the Gunners featured Kepa, White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori, Lewis‑Skelly, Havertz, Nwaneri, Dowman, Gyokeres and Tzolis, with a host of substitutes later introduced, including Copley, Salmon, Gabriel, Vieira, Nelson, Jesus, Martinelli, Julienne, Meslier, Ibrahim, Ogunnaike, Clarke, Kabia and O’Neill. In the second half Arteta gave his Brazilian internationals Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli their first minutes of the pre‑season campaign, but the side, still missing key figures such as Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard and several World Cup‑returning players, could not overturn the deficit.
When questioned about the atmosphere in the dressing room after the loss, Arteta said, "They are very upset, they’re fuming, but that’s a good sign. It’s the kind of fire we need." The defeat marked Arsenal’s first loss of the summer preparations and arrived at a time when the club is actively pursuing new talent.
A £75 million agreement with Newcastle for midfielder Bruno Guimarães has already been reached, underscoring the urgency to bolster a midfield that struggled to match the intensity of Betis. Arteta also revisited his midfield experiment that featured the young trio of Myles Lewis‑Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Kai Havertz, who had performed admirably in the previous friendly against Girona.
This time, however, the trio found it far more challenging to contain Betis’s attacks. Lewis‑Skelly, operating in the No 6 role, displayed moments of brilliance, completing 70 of his 74 attempted passes, yet he could not replicate the defensive solidity offered by seasoned campaigners like Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi or the soon‑to‑arrive Guimarães. Despite the shortcomings, Arteta believes Lewis‑Skelly will still have a meaningful part to play this season. The Dublin match highlighted why Arsenal have been so eager to secure Guimarães; his arrival promises elite quality and the depth that the Gunners currently lack in the centre of the park.
While pre‑season results are generally viewed as inconsequential, the uncharacteristic openness shown by Arsenal provides Arteta with valuable insights as his side prepares to defend the Premier League title. In his post‑match interview with Premier Sports, Arteta reflected, "It’s always disappointing to lose, even in a friendly.
The first half we tried to play well and compete, and we succeeded in the first aspect at times, but our competitiveness, especially around our own box, was below the standard required to beat a good side. We conceded a sloppy goal from a corner and then gave away two more chances close to our goal.
Betis were efficient and took advantage of those mistakes." He added, "Losing in pre‑season can actually light a fire under the players. It’s better to concede in a friendly than in a competitive match.
It forces us to understand where we are, the personnel we have, and the demands of top‑level football." The manager’s comments underline the importance of using these early fixtures to identify weaknesses, refine tactics and build the physical conditioning required for a demanding campaign. Beyond the tactical analysis, the match also served as a platform for several Arsenal youngsters to gain valuable minutes.
Ethan Nwaneri, still a teenager, featured alongside more experienced teammates, offering a glimpse of his potential future role. The integration of new signings like Christos Tzolis, who already contributed an assist, demonstrates Arteta’s willingness to blend fresh talent with the existing core. As the summer window continues, Arsenal remain active in the market, with the Guimarães deal expected to close soon. The midfield, once bolstered by his arrival, should provide the balance and resilience that were missing against Betis.
Meanwhile, the defensive line, led by veterans and supplemented by emerging players, will need to tighten up to avoid conceding the kind of careless goals witnessed in Dublin. Overall, while the 3‑1 loss is a setback on paper, it offers a constructive learning experience.
The Gunners can take away lessons about defensive organization, the importance of maintaining concentration on set‑pieces, and the need for a stronger midfield presence. If Arteta can translate these insights into improved performances in the upcoming fixtures, the early stumble may prove to be a catalyst for a more robust title defence later in the season.