Mikel Arteta admitted that his group of players were "fuming" after Arsenal delivered a lack‑luster display and fell 3-1 to Spanish LaLiga side Real Betí in a pre‑season exhibition match held in Dublin. The Gunners were caught off‑guard early when goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga ventured forward, failed to secure a corner and allowed Rodrigo Riquelme to meet a loose ball at the back post for the opening goal. The visitors doubled their advantage shortly after, with Nelson Deossa unleashing a spectacular long‑range strike that left the Arsenal defence scrambling.
Arsenal managed to pull one back when a newly signed forward, Christos Tzolis, swung in an inswinging corner that Piero Hincapié rose to meet, heading the ball over the line. The joy was short‑lived, however, as Real Betí restored a two‑goal cushion when Pablo Fornals tucked the ball into the bottom corner after a mis‑placed pass from Kai Havertz gave the Spaniards a clear opportunity. The starting eleven for Arsenal consisted of Kepa, White, Mosquera, Hincapié, Calafiori, Lewis‑Skelly, Havertz, Nwaneri, Dowman, Gyokeres and Tzolis. Substitutes who saw action included Copley, Salmon, Gabriel, Vieira, Nelson, Jesus, Martinelli, Julienne, Meslier, Ibrahim, Ogunnaike, Clarke, Kabia and O'Neill.
In the second half Arteta introduced the Brazil internationals Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli, granting them their first pre‑season minutes, but the team – still missing key figures such as Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard and several World Cup veterans – could not overturn the deficit. When pressed about the atmosphere in the dressing room after the defeat, Arteta said, "Very upset, given a hard time. They are fuming, but this is good.
That's what we need." The loss marked Arsenal's first stumble of the summer campaign and comes at a time when the club is actively pursuing new talent, having already agreed a £75 million fee with Newcastle United for midfielder Bruno Guimarães. The Dublin fixture also offered Arteta a chance to evaluate his young midfield trio of Myles Lewis‑Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Kai Havertz, who had performed admirably in the previous win over Girona.
This time, however, they found themselves under greater pressure. Lewis‑Skelly, playing at the No 6 role, displayed moments of composure, completing 70 of his 74 attempted passes, yet he could not match the defensive solidity typically provided by the likes of Rice, Martin Zubimendi, or the soon‑to‑arrive Guimarães. His performance underlined why Arsenal have been so aggressive in the transfer market; a player of Guimarães' calibre would bring elite quality and depth to a midfield that currently appears thin.
Although pre‑season results carry little weight in the grand scheme, the match highlighted several areas for improvement. Arsenal's uncharacteristic openness at the back, coupled with a sloppy defensive corner that led to the first goal, gave Arteta ample food for thought as the Premier League champions prepare to defend their title. The manager reflected on the two halves, noting the contrast in performance and personnel.
"The first half, we wanted two different things – play well and compete well. We did the first one quite well in a lot of moments.
But the compete part, especially in and around our box, was not at our standards to win a football match against a good side," he explained. Arteta also emphasized the value of losing in a friendly, stating, "It's always good when you lose a match in pre‑season; it creates a bit more fire in the belly.
It's better to give those goals away in a friendly match than an official match." He stressed the need for dominance, pointing out the sloppy corner that resulted in the opening goal and the subsequent defensive lapses that allowed Betí to capitalize with two efficient strikes. The match served as a reminder that fitness building is only one component of pre‑season; tactical cohesion and defensive discipline are equally vital. With a long list of players still returning from World Cup duty, Arsenal will need to integrate new signings, manage squad rotation, and fine‑tune their midfield balance before the competitive season begins.
The defeat, while disappointing, could act as a catalyst for renewed focus and intensity, especially as the club edges closer to securing Guimarães and potentially other targets. In summary, the Dublin friendly exposed vulnerabilities in Arsenal's defensive organization and highlighted the importance of midfield reinforcement. The players' frustration, as described by Arteta, may translate into greater determination in training and upcoming matches.
As the summer window continues and the squad regroups, the Gunners will aim to convert the lessons learned from this loss into stronger performances, ensuring they remain contenders for the Premier League crown.