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Arsenal 1-3 Real Betis: Premier League champions suffer first defeat of pre-season after Kepa Arrizabalaga error

Report as Arsenal are beaten in their third game of pre-season at Dublin's Aviva Stadium; Kepa Arrizabalaga's error allowed Real Betis to open the scoring on their way to a 3-1 win; Piero Hincapie headed in a Christos Tzolis corner but the Gunners struggled otherwise

Nick Wright

Football Features Writer @nicholaspwright

Wednesday 5 August 2026 22:16, UK

Christos Tzolis reacts as Arsenal go two goals down against Real Betis
Image: Christos Tzolis reacts as Arsenal go two goals down against Real Betis

Arsenal produced a sloppy performance as they were beaten 3-1 by LaLiga side Real Betis in a pre-season friendly in Dublin.

The Gunners fell behind when Kepa Arrizabalaga came out and failed to claim a corner, allowing Rodrigo Riquelme to score at the back post. Nelson Deossa added a stunning second from long range.

Arsenal pulled one back when an inswinging corner from new signing Christos Tzolis was headed over the line by Piero Hincapie but Betis restored their two-goal lead when Pablo Fornals found the bottom corner following a misplaced pass by Kai Havertz.

How did Arsenal line up?

Starting XI: Kepa, White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Havertz, Nwaneri, Dowman, Gyokeres, Tzolis

Subbed on: Copley, Salmon, Gabriel, Vieira, Nelson, Jesus, Martinelli, Julienne, Meslier, Ibrahim, Ogunnaike, Clarke, Kabia, O'Neill

Mikel Arteta made second-half changes with Brazil internationals Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli given their first cameos of pre-season but Arsenal, still without Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and others involved at the World Cup, were unable to cut the deficit.

The defeat, their first of pre-season, comes as Arsenal continue to push for new signings in the transfer market, with the club having agreed a £75m fee with Newcastle for Bruno Guimaraes.

The key moments from Dublin

  • 9 - GOAL! Kepa Arrizabalaga fails to claim a corner, allowing the unmarked Rodrigo Riquelme to score at the far post
  • 26 - GOAL! Nelson Deossa adds Real Betis's stunning second goal with a powerful long-range effort
  • 32 - GOAL! Christos Tzolis's inswinging corner loops over the Real Betis goalkeeper and is headed in by Piero Hincapie
  • 43 - GOAL! Pablo Fornals fires home a third goal for Real Betis following a misplaced pass by Kai Havertz
  • 46 - SUBS! Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta makes seven half-time changes, with returning Brazilians Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli among those introduced
  • 55 - INJURY! Arsenal youngster Louie Copley is forced off with a serious-looking knee injury
  • 64 - SAVE! Real Betis cut through Arsenal but Illan Meslier saves Isco's close-range flick
  • 67 - SHOT! Martinelli tees up a chance for Gabriel Jesus, who fires wide

Did Arsenal show need for Bruno?

With a lengthy list of players still to return following the World Cup, Arteta gave another chance to the midfield trio of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Kai Havertz following the victory over Girona. This time, they found it more difficult.

Lewis-Skelly had some bright moments on the ball at No 6. He completed 70 of his 74 passes. But he couldn't provide the same level of defensive coverage of Rice, Martin Zubimendi, or indeed Guimaraes, whose move from Newcastle is getting closer.

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Lewis-Skelly should still have a significant role to play for Arsenal this season. But Arsenal's struggles in midfield in Dublin showed why the club have pursued Guimaraes so aggressively. He will add elite quality and give Arsenal a level of depth their midfield currently lacks.

Of course, pre-season results count for little. This was primarily a fitness-building exercise for Arsenal. But their uncharacteristic openness leaves Arteta with food for thought right across the pitch as the Premier League champions prepare to defend their crown.

Riccardo Calafiori challenges for the ball against Real Betis
Image: Riccardo Calafiori challenges for the ball against Real Betis

Arteta: We didn't compete to our standards

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to Premier Sports:

"Always upset when you lose a football match.

"Two very different halves, especially with the personnel we played today.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"It's a balance between understanding where we are and the personnel we are playing - and the demands that are at the highest level."

Arteta coy on Bruno arrival

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Mikel Arteta was asked about Bruno Guimaraes following the game against Real Betis

Arsenal's pre-season so far

  • July 25: Arsenal 3-0 MK Dons - Arsenal training ground
  • August 1: Girona 1-4 Arsenal - Girona
  • August 5: Arsenal 1-3 Real Betis - Dublin
  • August 9: Arsenal vs Borussia Dortmund - Emirates Stadium, 2pm
  • August 12: Arsenal vs Como - Emirates Stadium, 7.30pm
  • August 16: Community Shield - Arsenal vs Man City, Cardiff, 3pm
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