Arsenal lost 3-1 to Real Betis in a pre-season friendly at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. Foot Mercato reported the result from the Club Friendlies 1 match, which saw a crowd of 50,000 in attendance. The game was refereed by Robert Hennessy. This friendly forms part of Arsenal's preparations for the upcoming Premier League season, which you can track on our fixtures page.
Who played for Arsenal against Betis?
Mikel Arteta selected a 4-3-3 formation for the contest. His starting eleven included goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, defenders Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapié, Cristhian Mosquera, and Ben White. The midfield trio consisted of Kai Havertz, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Ethan Nwaneri. The front line was led by Christos Tzolis, Viktor Gyökeres, and Max Dowman. This lineup indicates Arteta is assessing squad depth ahead of the new campaign, with several younger players getting valuable minutes.
What was the Real Betis lineup?
Manuel Pellegrini's Real Betis also set up in a 4-2-3-1 system. Their team featured Álvaro Valles in goal, with a defensive line of Fran García, Natan, Marc Bartra, and former Arsenal player Héctor Bellerín. The midfield double pivot was formed by Gnangoro and Federico Bernal. Further forward, Rodrigo Riquelme, Pablo Fornals, and Pablo García supported striker N. Deossa. The presence of experienced campaigners like Bartra and Fornals provided a stern test for Arteta's side.
How does this result fit into pre-season?
The 3-1 defeat is a setback in Arsenal's summer preparations. While the result itself is less important than fitness and tactical work, performances against seasoned European opposition offer a clear benchmark. Arteta will be analysing individual contributions and team cohesion closely. The club's pre-season schedule is designed to build match sharpness, and data from these games feeds into selection decisions for the competitive opener. You can review the profiles of all players involved on the official squad list.
What comes next for Arsenal after this friendly?
Attention now turns to finalising preparations for the Premier League season. The data and observations from the Betis match will inform training focus areas in the coming days. Arteta must decide on his strongest starting eleven and integrate any remaining new signings. The manager has a final opportunity to assess his options before competitive action begins. Maintaining player fitness and avoiding injuries in this final phase is the immediate priority, with the latest team news always available on our injuries page.
