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Arsenal were sloppy at the back - Paul Faith/AFP
Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
Arsenal were made to pay for a sloppy first-half display as they fell to 3-1 pre-season defeat to Spanish side Real Betis in Dublin.
All four of the game’s goals came in the first half as Betis, under the management of former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini, made the Premier League champions look rusty.
Rodrigo Riquelme opened the scoring in the ninth minute. A corner from the left should have been dealt with by Kepa Arrizabalaga but the Arsenal keeper made an absolute mess of it, the ball going straight through him to Riquelme at the far post who took one touch before firing into the net.
Betis doubled their lead in the 26th minute with an absolute screamer. Nelson Deossa received the ball in a central position around 25 yards out, took a couple of touches before lashing his shot into the top corner.
Arsenal pulled a goal back in the 32nd minute when Piero Hincapié nodded in from inside the six-yard box. But 11 minutes later the Spanish side, who finished fifth in La Liga last season, reclaimed their two-goal advantage through former West Ham midfielder Pablo Fornals.
Mikel Arteta made a raft of second-half substitutions in a bid to turn the match around, but Betis held firm.
More to follow...
09:51pm
Post-match thoughts of Hector Bellerin
09:50pm
Arsenal’s pre-season schedule
August 1- Girona 1 Arsenal 4
Today- Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
August 9- Arsenal vs Borussia Dortmund
August 12- Arsenal vs Como
August 16- Arsenal vs Manchester City (Community Shield)
09:49pm
Post-match thoughts of Myles Lewis-Skelly
09:48pm
Riccardo Calafiori speaking to Premier Sports
09:43pm
FT stats
Possession: Arsenal 56%-44% Real Betis
Shots: 9-10
Shots on target: 2-7
Corners: 2-2
09:37pm
Full time
There is the final whistle in Dublin and Betis secure a 3-1 win over Arsenal at Aviva Stadium. Goals from Riquelme, Deossa and Fornals has led Manuel Pellegrini’s side to the victory. All four goals in the game came before the break.
09:36pm
90+1 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
Jesus gets onto the end of a ball in behind, getting to it just before the byline, and delivers a dangerous cross but Natan does well on the stretch to clear.
09:33pm
90 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
There will be three added minutes.
09:32pm
89 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
Antony was booed when he came on and is also being booed whenever he touches the ball.
09:32pm
88 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
Arsenal have registered just two shots on target in this game and both of those came in the first half. They have not really looked like scoring since the break, with probably Jesus coming closest.
09:29pm
85 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
Double change for Betis as Morante and Gomez replace Riquelme and Bernal.
09:22pm
78 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
Bellerin squares the ball from the byline and picks out Riquelme near the penalty spot but the latter is unable to take advantage.
09:20pm
76 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
The changes keep coming for Arsenal as Gabriel and Martinelli, who have only recently returned from their breaks after the World Cup, go off after half an hour on the pitch. Nwaneri was the final member of the Arsenal starting XI to still be on but his night is over.
09:17pm
73 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
Up until this point, Manuel Pellegrini had made just one change but he now makes a triple substitution, which sees three former Premier League players come on. Former Leeds duo Firpo and Llorente come on as does ex-Manchester United forward Antony. There are a few boos from the Arsenal fans as Antony comes on.
09:10pm
67 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
Martinelli is played in down the left channel and gets onto the end of the ball inside the Betis box. He checks back and finds his compatriot Jesus on the edge of the box. Jesus tries to pick out the bottom corner but his shot goes just wide.
09:09pm
65 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
Isco should put Betis 4-1 up but tries to be too cute and clever. Former Arsenal man Bellerin delivers a cross from the right side of the box and picks out a free Isco in the six-yard box. Isco attempts an audacious flick rather than putting his foot through it and his effort is saved by Meslier. That should have been a goal.
09:07pm
64 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
Arsenal have changed nearly their entire starting XI whereas Betis have made just the one substitution thus far. Betis have played more games so far in pre-season, which probably explains the difference in the number of changes.
09:04pm
60 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
Salmon is deceived by a dummy by Riquelme and then brings the Betis man down, earning him a yellow card.
On the hour mark, Mikel Arteta is going to make a triple change, which feels like it was a plan going into the game. That includes Meslier coming on in goal in place of Kepa.
08:59pmAnalysis
55 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
Copley is helped off by the two Arsenal medics, shaking his head and not putting any weight on his left leg, and is replaced by Julienne.
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You have to hope that the knee injury to Louie Copley is not serious but judging by the way he went down largely unchallenged, his reaction and the way he was being helped down the tunnel it didn’t look too good. A tough moment for the youngster who had only been on the pitch nine minutes.
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Louie Copley’s appearance did not even last 10 minutes - Brian Lawless/PA
08:58pm
54 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
Play is halted as Copley has been down for a little while clutching at his left knee. He got his studs stuck in the ground and went down in some pain. The medics come on to check that left knee. He only came on at half-time but his night is over not even 10 minutes into the second half.
08:55pm
51 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
Nwaneri catches Bernal and if this was a competitive fixture than I think Nwaneri would perhaps have been booked for that challenge.
08:52pm
48 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
Those raft of changes from Mikel Arteta at half-time have seen just four of their starting XI remain on the pitch; Kepa, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri.
08:50pm
47 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
Arsenal have a corner early on in this second half as Vieira’s shot from distance deflects behind. The delivery from the left has too much on it, going over the heads of all the Arsenal players in the box, and Betis are able to clear.
08:48pm
Second half
Mikel Arteta has made a whole host of changes, which includes the likes of Jesus, Martinelli, Gabriel and Vieira coming on. Betis have brought the former Real Madrid man Isco on at the break.
We are back under way in Dublin.
08:43pm
HT stats
Possession: Arsenal 63%-37% Real Betis
Shots: 5-7
Shots on target: 2-6
Corners: 1-2
08:37pmAnalysis
HT verdict
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Arsenal’s title triumph was built on that stout defence and conceding so few but there have been so many self-inflicted wounds here. The first and third goals came from dismal individual errors from Kepa and Havertz and the second - while a wonder strike - came after Arsenal had failed to clear their lines properly.
08:32pm
Half-time
The first half is brought to an end and Real Betis take a 3-1 lead into the break.
08:31pm
45+1 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 3
There will be one added minute.
08:29pmKey moments • Goals • Video
GOAL! Fornals puts Betis 3-1 up
Manuel Pellegrini’s side have their third goal of the night and restore their two-goal advantage. Havertz gives the ball away poorly deep inside his own half and the ball is played into Fornals. The former West Ham man has it on the edge of the box and has P Garcia in space to his right but opts to shoot. It is a clinical finish from Fornals as he picks out the bottom left corner and celebrates by crossing his arms to form irons, paying tribute to his days at West Ham.
08:25pm
39 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 2
Betis come close to restoring their two-goal advantage. Calafiori gives the ball away deep inside his own half and the ball is quickly moved onto P Garcia on the right side of the box. He opens up his body and curls a shot first time towards the far corner, forcing Kepa into the save down to his right.
08:21pm
34 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Betis 2
Riquelme shoots from just outside the box and forces Kepa into a save down to his right.
08:17pmKey moments • Goals • Video
GOAL! Hincapie gets a goal back for Arsenal
Betis have one goal from a corner and now Arsenal do. Betis keeper Valles complains that he is being fouled by Havertz after Tzolis swung in the corner from the left and the ball comes through to Hincapie, who has the simplest of headers from inside the six-yard box.
08:17pm
31 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Betis 2
Important block from P Garcia. Dowman cuts in from the right across the face of the penalty area and finds Tzolis in space to his left. Tzolis takes one touch before taking on the shot from inside the Betis box but P Garcia slides in with a crucial block.
08:12pmKey moments • Goals • Video
GOAL! Deossa screamer doubles Betis’ lead
That is quite the finish! Deossa receives the ball in a central position around 25 yards out. He takes a couple of touches before lashing a shot with his left foot. His effort flies into the top corner and Betis have a 2-0 lead. Considering the quality of the finish, I am surprised that Deossa did not celebrate more bearing in mind you do not score screamers like that every day!
08:11pm
25 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Betis 1
Since Gyokeres misses that very good chance just a minute into the game, Arsenal have not really carved out many genuine opportunities in front of goal, other than that Tzolis wasted chance. Every time they reach the final third, they are lacking that cutting edge.
08:07pmAnalysis
21 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Betis 1
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Calafiori’s role is interesting. He’s very nominally a left back but is routinely stepping into midfield and raiding forward, often ending up in positions you’d associate with a No. 10. It’s the kind of role Nico O’Reilly played under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
08:05pm
19 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Betis 1
Valles is so, so lucky. The Betis keeper inexplicably passes the ball straight at Tzolis inside the Betis penalty area but Tzolis is unable to capitalise. That is a huge slice of luck for Valles as that was a ridiculous moment.
08:02pm
16 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Betis 1
Betis have already scored one goal from a corner and they now have another corner after Nwaneri’s clearance behind. The inswinger is sent into a good area but this time Arsenal deal with the danger.
07:59pm
13 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Betis 1
Arsenal were the better side in the early stages but Betis have grown into this and have taken confidence from that goal.
07:54pmKey moments • Goals • Video
GOAL! Riquelme smashes Betis in front
The first goal of the night goes the way of the Spaniards. The corner from the left should be dealt with by Kepa but the Arsenal keeper makes an absolute mess of it. The ball goes straight through him and comes to Riquelme at the far post. He takes one touch before firing into the net. Kepa is appealing for a free-kick but there is never a foul in there.
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That is dire goalkeeping from Kepa. He’s desperately tried to claim he was fouled but he just made a complete hash of it.
07:54pm
8 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Betis 0
Betis have their first shot of the night. P Garcia receives it out on the right and cuts inside onto his left. The space opens up for him to shoot and he obliges, forcing Kepa into a save before the ball is smashed behind for a corner...
07:53pm
7 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Betis 0
Calafiori may be on the teamsheet tonight for Arsenal at left-back but when they are in possession the Italian is moving into midfield. Lewis-Skelly, who is playing in the number six role, is dropping in between the two centre-backs when Arsenal have the ball.
07:50pm
4 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Betis 0
Betis win a free-kick out on the left, with the chance to send it into the Arsenal penalty area for the first time tonight. It is clipped into a good area but Kepa is out of his goal to catch it.
07:48pm
1 min: Arsenal 0 Real Betis 0
Arsenal should be ahead one minute into the game with their first attack of the game. Havertz picks up the ball on the corner of the box out on the left and passes it inside to Gyokeres. The Swedish striker takes one touch before shooting from the edge of the six-yard box but his shot is saved. In reality, Gyokeres should not have given Valles in the Betis goal any chance of saving that one.
07:45pm
Kick-off
We are under way at Aviva Stadium.
07:41pm
Nearly ready for action
Both sides emerge from the tunnel, Arsenal led out by Ben White and Betis by former Arsenal man Hector Bellerin, and make their way past the Premier League trophy. We are moments away from kick-off in Dublin.
07:39pm
The two starting XIs
Arsenal: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori; Lewis-Skelly, Havertz, Nwaneri; Dowman, Gyokeres, Tzolis.
Real Betis: Valles, Bellerin, Bartra, Natan, F.Garcia; Bernal, Gnangoro, Fornals; P.Garcia, Riquelme, Deossa.
07:37pm
Kick-off getting nearer
07:33pm
Pre-match thoughts of Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini
07:31pm
Premier League trophy in attendance
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Arsenal have brought the Premier League trophy with them to Dublin - Brian Lawless/PA
07:24pm
Gearing up
07:20pm
Premier Sports crew on Arsenal
07:13pm
Both sides arriving
07:08pm
New kit on show
07:04pm
Arsenal’s newest signing Christos Tzolis speaking to club’s in-house media
06:58pm
Arsenal’s transfer business so far
INS:
Illan Meslier ⇠ Leeds, Free
Christos Tzolis ⇠ Club Brugge, £34m
Piero Hincapie’s move from Bayer Leverkusen was made permanent this summer.
OUTS:
Leandro Trossard ⇢ Besiktas, £18m
Jakub Kiwior ⇢ Porto, £15m
06:49pm
Breaking news
06:49pm
Tonight’s venue
06:45pm
Imminent arrival?
Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Newcastle and Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes in a deal worth £75m. He has been given permission to undergo a medical today and is set to join Arsenal in the coming days. One midfielder coming into Arsenal is set to see another depart as Dane Christian Norgaard closes in on a move to Everton after just one season at Arsenal.
06:36pm
Arsenal’s pre-season schedule
August 1- Girona 1 Arsenal 4
Today- Arsenal vs Real Betis
August 9- Arsenal vs Borussia Dortmund
August 12- Arsenal vs Como
August 16- Arsenal vs Manchester City (Community Shield)
06:30pm
Real Betis team
06:27pm
Arsenal team
Unchanged from last time out.
Let's keep our good pre-season form going
Presented by @deelpic.twitter.com/S5TKqR9Lv3
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 5, 2026
06:24pmKey moments
A trip to the Emerald Isle
Premier League champions Arsenal continue their preparations for the new season as they take on Spanish side Real Betis at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, with this being the first-ever meeting between the two sides. This is the first time Arsenal have played a pre-season game in Dublin since August 2018, when they drew 1-1 with London rivals Chelsea, with Arsenal winning on penalties.
Arsenal beat Girona 4-1 in their opening game of pre-season, with new signing Christos Tzolis on the scoresheet in his first appearance for the club. After today, Arsenal have three more games, including the Community Shield, before they kick off the defence of their Premier League crown at home against newly-promoted Coventry on opening night of the new season. They are closing in on a deal for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, who is set to become one of Arsenal’s most expensive signings. Mikel Arteta’s side have been dealt a blow ahead of the season with the news that France centre-back William Saliba will miss an extended period due to a back injury. The likes of Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke are still yet to return after their World Cup exploits.
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Christos Tzolis scored for Arsenal against Girona - Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Real Betis, under the management of former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini, finished fifth in La Liga last season and have therefore qualified for this coming season’s Champions League after a 20-year absence from the competition. Pellegrini has led Betis into European competitions for five consecutive seasons, which includes losing the 2025 Europa Conference League final to Chelsea. They have been busy in pre-season action already having played five games up to this point. They have won four of the five, including a 4-0 victory over Lyon, with just one defeat coming against Granada.
They have a number of former Premier League players in their ranks, including Antony, Giovani Lo Celso, Pablo Fornals and former Arsenal man Hector Bellerin. Real Betis have already played a number of friendlies as they build up to the start of their season, which begins on August 21 when they take on Real Sociedad.
Team news to follow shortly.
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