Mikel Arteta admitted that his Arsenal players were left "fuming" after a lack‑luster display that saw the Gunners fall 3-1 to Spanish LaLiga side Real Betis in a pre‑season match staged in Dublin. The defeat, which marked Arsenal’s first loss of the summer campaign, exposed defensive frailties and a lack of cohesion that the manager said would serve as a useful wake‑up call as the club prepares to defend its Premier League title.
The opening goal came early when Betis goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga ventured forward for a corner and failed to secure the ball, allowing Rodrigo Riquelme to tap home from the back post. The Spanish side doubled their advantage shortly after, with Nelson Deossa unleashing a spectacular strike from distance that left the Arsenal defence scrambling. Despite the early setback, the Gunners managed to pull one back before the interval when a well‑timed inswinging corner, delivered by new signing Christos Tzolis, was met by the head of Piero Hincapie, who slotted the ball across the line. Betis, however, quickly restored their two‑goal cushion when Pablo Fornals capitalised on a misplaced pass from Kai Havertz, firing a low shot into the bottom corner.
The second half saw Arteta make a series of changes, introducing Brazilian internationals Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli for their first pre‑season appearances. Even with fresh legs on the pitch, Arsenal – still missing key figures such as Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard and several other World Cup participants – could not overturn the deficit. The starting eleven for Arsenal consisted of Kepa, White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori, Lewis‑Skelly, Havertz, Nwaneri, Dowman, Gyokeres and Tzolis, with a host of substitutes – Copley, Salmon, Gabriel, Vieira, Nelson, Jesus, Martinelli, Julienne, Meslier, Ibrahim, Ogunnaike, Clarke, Kabia and O'Neill – eventually called upon. Arteta’s post‑match comments highlighted the mood in the dressing room: "Very upset, given a hard time.
They are fuming, but this is good. That's what we need." He stressed that the frustration was a sign of the players’ desire to improve and that a pre‑season loss can ignite a stronger competitive spirit. The loss comes at a time when Arsenal are actively pursuing new talent in the transfer market. The club has already agreed on a £75 million fee with Newcastle United for midfielder Bruno Guimarães, a signing that Arteta believes will address the midfield deficiencies exposed in Dublin.
Throughout the match, the midfield trio of Myles Lewis‑Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Kai Havertz struggled to match the defensive solidity and ball‑winning ability of seasoned Premier League midfielders like Declan Rice or the quality that Guimarães would bring. Lewis‑Skelly did showcase moments of promise, completing 70 of his 74 attempted passes and demonstrating composure on the ball at the No 6 role. Nevertheless, his defensive contributions fell short of the standards set by the likes of Rice, Martin Zubimendi or the anticipated Guimarães.
Arteta’s decision to give the young midfielders another opportunity after their successful performance against Girona was understandable, but the Dublin fixture underlined why the club is eager to reinforce that area of the pitch. While the result itself holds little weight in the grand scheme of the season, the performance offers Arteta valuable insight into the squad’s current state. The Gunners displayed an uncharacteristic openness, conceding sloppy set‑piece goals and allowing Betis to create high‑quality chances near their own box.
Arteta reflected on these issues, stating, "We have to have dominance. The first goal, the action from the corner, we concede a sloppy goal. Then we gave two giveaways very close to our box as well. They were very efficient, two very good goals as well from their side." He also emphasized the positive side of a pre‑season defeat, noting that it provides a "bit more fire in the belly" and is preferable to dropping points in a competitive fixture.
The manager highlighted the need for balance between understanding the squad’s current fitness levels, the personnel available, and the demands of competing at the highest level. Looking ahead, Arsenal will continue to fine‑tune their squad, integrating new signings like Tzolis and the soon‑to‑arrive Guimarães while giving young talents such as Nwaneri and Lewis‑Skelly the chance to develop. The Dublin friendly, despite its disappointing scoreline, serves as a reminder that the team must tighten up defensively, improve set‑piece organization, and maintain intensity throughout both halves of a match. As the Premier League champions prepare for the upcoming season, the lessons learned from this loss could prove instrumental in shaping a more resilient and competitive side capable of defending their crown.
For further updates on Arsenal’s transfer activity, pre‑season fixtures, and Premier League standings, fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports and other official channels. The club’s next steps will involve assessing the performance of the midfield unit, finalising the Guimarães deal, and ensuring that the squad returns from the World Cup break with the fitness and focus required to meet the challenges of a new campaign.