Arsenal were handed a 3-1 defeat by Real Betis in a pre-season friendly in Dublin this week, a performance described as a "woeful" reality check. Mikel Arteta's side were punished for numerous individual errors, with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga particularly culpable for the opening goal.
Kepa Arrizabalaga endured a difficult night, receiving a low rating of 3. His mistake from a corner allowed Rodrigo Riquelme to score the opener, and a poor clearance contributed to the build-up for Nelson Deossa's sublime strike for Betis's second. The goalkeeper did make one smart save later in the match. In contrast, young winger Max Dowman earned a rating of 7 for his energetic display on the right flank, playing a key part in winning the corner for Arsenal's only goal.
Piero Hincapie headed in Arsenal's consolation goal from close range after a corner. The defender was credited with a 6 for his finish, though he "literally could not miss" from a yard out with the goalkeeper absent. Striker Viktor Gyokeres, who led the line, missed a good early chance and received a middling rating of 5 for his hold-up play.
The loss highlights defensive concerns with key players absent. The team looked "far less convincing" with the centre-back pairing used, a significant issue with William Saliba currently sidelined. The performance also raised questions about squad depth in midfield, with Ethan Nwaneri failing to impress in his chance and Kai Havertz gifting possession for Betis's third goal before half-time.
Several established players had off nights. Kai Havertz was criticised for a "really, really poor" giveaway that led to Pablo Fornals making it 3-1. Defender Riccardo Calafiori was caught out of position and gave the ball away cheaply. Ethan Nwaneri, afforded a start, was a "culprit" in the lack of pressing for the second goal and saw his only notable involvement come via a late foul. The team's overall display was summarised as "terribly poor".
Arsenal now have limited time to address these issues before the Premier League season begins. This result serves as a stark reminder of the work needed to defend their title, with the current squad facing immediate scrutiny after a disjointed team performance.
