Arsenal vs Real Betis – team news and how to watch
Arsenal continue their preparations for the new season against Real Betis in Dublin on Wednesday night. Mikel Arteta’s side arrive at the Aviva Stadium after an impressive 4-1 victory over Girona, while another Champions League-level opponent should provide a tougher test.
Pre-season has gone about as well as Arteta could have hoped so far. Arsenal beat MK Dons 3-0 behind closed doors before producing an encouraging attacking display in Spain on Saturday, with Kai Havertz, Christos Tzolis, Max Dowman and Gabriel Jesus all scoring against Girona.
Dowman was particularly impressive after also creating the opening goal. ReadArsenal picked out three major positives from the 4-1 Girona victory, including Tzolis’ immediate impact and Dowman’s increasing comfort at senior level.
The result itself matters little once competitive football starts, but Arsenal’s combinations already look sharp. Several younger players are also giving Arteta genuine selection decisions, while Real Betis should raise the level after finishing fifth in La Liga last season and qualifying for the Champions League.
⚠️ Reminder: Arsenal’s 2026 pre-season fixtures, which begin on Saturday. ✅⏳
🔘 August 1: Girona @ Estadi Montilivi (kick-off 7pm UK). 🇪🇸
🔘 August 5: Real Betis @ Aviva Stadium, Dublin (kick-off 7:30pm). 🇮🇪
🔘 August 9: Borussia Dortmund @ Emirates Stadium (2pm kick-off,… pic.twitter.com/jM5AwBxPUE
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) July 30, 2026
Arsenal vs Real Betis: Kick-off and how to watch
Date: Wednesday, 5 August 2026
Kick-off: 7.30pm UK time
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Competition: Pre-season friendly
UK TV: Premier Sports 1
Streaming: Arsenal.com
Arsenal officially confirmed the Dublin friendly earlier this year, while Real Betis also announced a 7.30pm local kick-off at the Aviva Stadium. It will be the first senior meeting between the two clubs.
Arteta is still managing a staggered return following the World Cup. Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Piero Hincapie all returned later than much of the squad, so their minutes were carefully controlled against Girona.
All three were withdrawn after roughly half an hour rather than because of injuries. Havertz nevertheless made an immediate impact by scoring Arsenal’s opener, and ReadArsenal reported on Sunday that the Germany international feels “strong and ready” after returning to the group.
Ben White is another positive after completing 61 minutes against Girona following his knee problem. However, Jurrien Timber remains a doubt after returning to London as Arsenal continue managing his recovery from a groin issue.
Several internationals are also still being reintegrated after deep World Cup runs. That should create another opportunity for Arsenal’s younger players, particularly Dowman after his goal and assist against Girona.
ReadArsenal’s player ratings named the 16-year-old man of the match following another outstanding senior performance. Another start on Wednesday would be fully deserved.
Predicted Arsenal XI
Kepa; Mosquera, Salmon, Hincapie, Calafiori; Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, Havertz; Dowman, Jesus, Tzolis.
Arteta could again select a mixture of senior players and academy prospects. Kepa should receive more minutes in goal, while Cristhian Mosquera and Marli Salmon are both candidates to start in defence.
Lewis-Skelly impressed in midfield against Girona and could remain there. Further forward, Dowman and Tzolis deserve another opportunity, while Jesus may start after scoring from the bench in Spain.
Gyokeres is likely to continue building his fitness gradually. As with the Girona game, plenty of changes should be expected after the interval.
Real Betis team news
Betis are much further into their pre-season programme than Arsenal, with Wednesday set to be their sixth summer friendly. Pellegrini’s players should therefore have greater match fitness, although several absences have complicated preparations.
Aitor Ruibal, Diego Conde and Abde Ezzalzouli have all been sidelined, while Diego Llorente recently suffered muscular fatigue. That issue is not believed to be serious, and Isco has also returned to action after making his first pre-season appearance against Almeria.
There will also be a familiar face for Arsenal supporters. Former Gunners right-back Hector Bellerin is expected to be involved against his old club after spending more than a decade in north London.
Betis have another Premier League test against Bournemouth only three days later. Pellegrini may therefore follow Arteta’s approach and rotate heavily during the second half.
Predicted Real Betis XI
Gonzalez; Bellerin, Llorente, Gomez, Firpo; Roca, Corralejo; Antony, Isco, Fornals; Petit.
Llorente’s fitness remains the main defensive question, but Betis have enough options to avoid taking unnecessary risks. Isco should receive further minutes, while Bellerin starting would add another storyline to the evening.
What should Arsenal be looking for?
Tzolis needs another opportunity to build his understanding with Arsenal’s other attackers. The £34m signing has already assisted against MK Dons and scored against Girona, so another strong performance would continue an encouraging start.
Dowman simply needs to keep doing what he is doing. The 16-year-old looks increasingly comfortable against senior opposition, although Arsenal will naturally remain careful with his workload.
The returning World Cup players also need minutes without being overloaded. Havertz, Gyokeres and Hincapie are only beginning their full preparations, so Wednesday should represent another controlled step rather than a major fitness test.
Arsenal face Borussia Dortmund on Sunday before Como visit the Emirates three days later. Manchester City then await in the Community Shield on 16 August, meaning the intensity of Arteta’s preparations will increase quickly.
Arsenal and Real Betis have never previously met at senior level, which gives Wednesday’s friendly a slightly different feel. Betis also qualified for the Champions League last season, so they should provide Arsenal’s strongest test of pre-season so far.
The Gunners arrive with two wins from two after beating MK Dons 3-0 and Girona 4-1. Maintaining that record would be welcome, but another convincing performance would be more valuable as Arteta continues shaping his side for the new campaign.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Real Betis
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