Overview
Arsenal is preparing almost perfectly for the new season under Mikel Arteta. Two consecutive victories with a 3-goal difference bring many positive signs for the Emirates home team.
After easily defeating MK Dons 3-0 in a closed friendly match, Arsenal continued to overcome Girona with a similar score. At Montilivi Stadium, 16-year-old talent Max Dowman became the focus when contributing a goal and an assist, while Christos Tzolis also made his mark with his first goal in his new shirt. Two experienced strikers Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz also put their names on the scoreboard.
The confrontation with Real Betis will be Arsenal's third friendly match this summer and also the third time they play at Aviva Stadium (Dublin), after a draw with Chelsea in 2018 and a victory over Dundalk in the 2020 Europa League.
Besides the performance on the pitch, Arsenal fans are also particularly interested in rumors related to Vinicius Junior, although Mikel Arteta declined to comment on this deal.
In the opposite direction, Real Betis also had a rather impressive warm-up. Coach Manuel Pellegrini's team has played 5 friendly matches, won four and only lost to Granada. Most recently, they defeated Almeria 1-0 thanks to Ivan Corralejo's goal.
The Andalusian team is heading towards the new season after finishing fifth in La Liga 2025-2026 and winning the right to participate in the Champions League. Before entering the official campaign, Betis will successively test their strength against three quality opponents: Arsenal, Bournemouth and Inter Milan.
The match in Dublin will also mark the first time Arsenal and Real Betis face each other. With both participating in the 2026-2027 Champions League season, a reunion in the group stage is entirely possible after the draw at the end of August.
Personnel situation
After returning from the World Cup, Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Piero Hincapie only played 33 minutes in the victory over Girona according to Mikel Arteta's rotation plan to ensure fitness.
The Spanish strategist is likely not to use any more players who have just returned from the World Cup in the match against Real Betis. Besides, Arsenal also does not have the service of Jurrien Timber, as the Dutch defender has returned to London to continue treating a groin injury.
On Real Betis' side, coach Manuel Pellegrini received positive signals when center-back Diego Llorente, who left the field at the end of the victory against Almeria due to muscle fatigue, was determined not to have a serious injury.
However, the Spanish team still lacks some important names such as Giovani Lo Celso, Aitor Ruibal (knee), Diego Conde (shoulder) and Abde Ezzalzouli (knee). Meanwhile, Isco has had his first minutes of play in the pre-season period and is likely to start against Arsenal.
Expected lineup:
Kepa, Mosquera, Salmon, Hincapie, Calafiori, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, Havertz, Dowman, Jesus, Tzolis.
Real Betis: Gonzalez, Bellerin, Natan, Gomez, F. Garcia, Roca, Bernal, Antony, Isco, Fornals, Hernandez.
The match between Arsenal and Real Betis takes place at 1:30 am on August 6 (Vietnam time).
