Mikel Arteta admitted that his players left the pitch feeling angry after Arsenal delivered a lack‑luster display and were beaten 3-1 by Spanish side Real Betíis in a pre‑season friendly staged in Dublin. The Gunners fell behind early when Betíis goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga failed to claim a corner, allowing Rodrigo Riquelme to tap the ball home at the back post. The visitors doubled their lead shortly after when Nelson Deossa struck a spectacular long‑range effort that left the Arsenal defence flat on its back.
Arsenal managed to pull one back when a newly‑signed forward, Christos Tzolis, delivered an inswinging corner that Piero Hincapié headed past the Betíis keeper. The joy was short‑lived, however, as Betíis restored a two‑goal advantage when Pablo Fornals slotted the ball into the bottom corner after a wayward pass from Kai Havertz gave the Spaniards a golden opportunity. The starting eleven for Arsenal consisted of Kepa, White, Mosquera, Hincapié, Calafiori, Lewis‑Skelly, Havertz, Nwaneri, Dowman, Gyökeres 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 Brazilian internationals Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli, giving them their first appearances of the pre‑season campaign. Despite these changes, Arsenal – still missing key figures such as Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard and other World Cup participants – could not overturn the deficit. When asked about the atmosphere in the dressing room after the defeat, Arteta said, "They are very upset, they are fuming, but that’s a good sign.
It’s the kind of reaction we need." The loss marks Arsenal’s first setback of the summer schedule and comes at a time when the club is actively pursuing new signings. A £75 million agreement with Newcastle for midfielder Bruno Guimarães has already been reached, highlighting the urgency to bolster a midfield that struggled to match the intensity of Betíis. Arsenal’s midfield trio of Myles Lewis‑Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Kai Havertz, who had performed admirably in the previous friendly against Girona, found themselves out‑worked in Dublin.
Lewis‑Skelly showed flashes of brilliance, completing 70 of his 74 attempted passes and displaying confidence on the ball in the No 6 role. Nevertheless, his defensive contribution could not match the standards set by seasoned midfielders like Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, or the incoming Guimarães, whose arrival is expected to add both quality and depth to the middle of the park. The match also underscored why Arsenal have been so aggressive in the transfer market.
The team’s inability to protect the box and prevent easy goals highlighted a gap that the club hopes Guimarães will fill. His experience in a top‑flight league and his physical presence should help the Gunners maintain dominance in the centre of the field, something that was clearly missing on the day.
While pre‑season results rarely have a direct impact on the league standings, they serve as a crucial fitness and tactical testing ground. Arsenal’s uncharacteristic openness at the back gave Arteta plenty of material to analyse as the club prepares to defend its Premier League title. The manager emphasized that a loss in a friendly can be a catalyst for improvement, 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 than in an official match." Arteta further explained his perspective in an interview with Premier Sports, noting the contrast between the two halves: "The first half we wanted to play well and compete well.
We achieved the first part in many moments, but the competitive aspect, especially around our box, was not at the level required to win against a good side. We have to dominate. The first goal came from a sloppy corner, and we gave away two more chances close to our own area, which they turned into efficient goals." The manager also highlighted the importance of balance, acknowledging the need to understand the current squad’s capabilities while striving for the highest standards.
With a long list of players still returning from World Cup duties, Arteta will have to make further decisions on the final roster, integrating new signings and assessing the progress of younger talents like Nwaneri and Lewis‑Skelly. In summary, the 3‑1 defeat to Real Betíis served as a wake‑up call for Arsenal.
It exposed defensive frailties, tested the depth of the midfield, and reinforced the club’s determination to secure key signings before the season kicks off. As the Gunners continue their pre‑season tour, the focus will shift to tightening up the back line, improving transitional play, and ensuring that the squad’s hunger and intensity match the expectations of a reigning champion.
The upcoming weeks will be crucial for Arteta to fine‑tune his tactics, give further opportunities to emerging players, and integrate the new arrivals, all with the aim of entering the new campaign with confidence and a clear plan for success.