Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted his players were left furious after a disappointing pre-season defeat to Real Betis in Dublin, insisting the frustration inside the dressing room could become a valuable motivation ahead of the new campaign.
The Gunners produced an unusually error-filled first-half display, conceding three goals before the interval despite controlling more of the ball. Arteta accepted the result was disappointing but believes setbacks like this can sharpen his squad’s focus as preparations continue.
Arteta demands a stronger response
Arteta revealed the mood among his players after the match reflected how unhappy they were with their performance. According to the Arsenal boss, the dressing room was filled with frustration, something he welcomed because it showed the squad’s desire to reach higher standards.
While disappointed by the defeat, Arteta stressed that the context of the game should not be ignored. Arsenal used 25 players during the friendly, giving several squad members valuable minutes as preparations for the new season continue.
He also felt there were encouraging moments, particularly during spells when his more experienced starters were on the pitch. However, he pointed to Arsenal’s defending around their own penalty area as one of the main aspects requiring immediate improvement.
The Spaniard added that defeats can sometimes have a positive effect by increasing determination within the squad, believing the loss should create even more motivation before competitive football returns.
Team news: key players still unavailable
Arsenal remained without several first-team players following their World Cup commitments. Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, and Bukayo Saka have yet to rejoin the squad after representing England.
Spain internationals Mikel Merino, David Raya, and Martin Zubimendi were also unavailable, although captain Martin Odegaard has resumed individual training after playing for Norway during the tournament.
Despite those absences, Arteta still selected an experienced starting side featuring four international defenders, Ethan Nwaneri, Kai Havertz, Christos Tzolis and Max Dowman in midfield, while Viktor Gyokeres led the attack.
The same lineup had comfortably beaten Girona in Spain a week earlier, but this time Arsenal struggled to reproduce either their defensive discipline or attacking sharpness.
Arsenal’s defensive mistakes prove costly against Real Betis
Arsenal began brightly and almost took the lead when Gyokeres was denied by Alvaro Valles, but Real Betis punished the home side with ruthless efficiency.
The opening goal arrived from a ninth-minute corner after Kepa Arrizabalaga misjudged Pablo Fornals’ delivery, allowing Rodrigo Riquelme to finish unmarked at the far post. Tzolis later missed an opportunity to equalise after intercepting a misplaced pass from Valles but failed to hit the target.
Real Betis extended their advantage in the 26th minute when Nelson Deossa struck superbly from long range after Kepa’s poor clearance. Arsenal briefly responded through Piero Hincapie, whose header from a Tzolis corner found the net after Valles failed to deal with the delivery.
Before half-time, another Arsenal mistake proved costly as Kai Havertz lost possession near his own penalty area, allowing former West Ham midfielder Pablo Fornals to calmly score the visitors’ third goal.
Arsenal substitutions and injury concern after defeat
Arteta introduced seven changes at the interval, handing Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes their first pre-season appearances after both represented Brazil at the World Cup.
Young defenders Marli Salmon and Louie Copley were also introduced, but Copley’s outing lasted only seven minutes after he injured his knee while landing awkwardly during a chase for the ball.
As further substitutions disrupted the rhythm of the match, Arsenal struggled to build sustained pressure. Gabriel Jesus went closest to reducing the deficit during the second half, but the Gunners never looked capable of mounting a comeback.
Arteta remained an animated presence on the touchline until the final whistle as Arsenal finished their afternoon with a performance that left both the manager and his players deeply frustrated.