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Arsenal v Real Betis: The player connections past and present

Danie Ceballos (left) and Hector Bellerin (right) in Arsenal training

Ahead of Wednesday's meeting between Arsenal and Real Betis, we look at the men who have worn both shirts.

Hector Bellerin

Hector Bellerin spent an impressive eleven years at The Arsenal after joining the youth team from Barcelona's famous Las Masia academy in 2012.

The Spaniard cemented his place at right back under Arsene Wenger, making 239 appearances for the club and winning three FA cups in the process.

Bellerin was known for his electric pace and tricky feet, often seen bombing forward and acting as a winger at times with his skillful footwork; getting in behind defences seamlessly.

Arsenal fans may remember that the right-back broke the club's 40-meter sprint record with a time of 4.42 seconds. A record previously held by speed demon and winger, Theo Walcott.

LA LINEA DE LA CONCEPCION, SPAIN - JULY 29: Hector Bellerin of Real Betis passes the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Real Betis and Olimpique Lyonnais at Estadio Ciudad de La Linea on July 29, 2026 in La Linea de la Concepcion, Spain. (Photo by Jesus Ruiz/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

A proper servant of the club who popped up with important goals as well. Most notably, a left-footed strike against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge which snatched a draw to make it 2-2 was one to remember.

The Spanish defender will be entering his fifth season with the famous Green and Whites having joined in 2023 fully and having played one season on loan from the Gunners in 2021. During that loan-spell, he helped his side win the Copa del Rey after defeating Valencia on penalties.

The former Gunner should expect a warm reception from the crowd on Wednesday evening.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos

Sokratis Papathathopoulos made 69 appearances, scoring 6 goals for Arsenal across two and half seasons. The centre-back was part of Mikel Arteta's triumphant FA cup campaign in 2020 where the Gunners saw off Chelsea 2-1 in the final, Sokratis making a substitute appearance in that game.

The former Gunner would go on to represent Real Betis 16 times across all competitions and played alongside former teammate Bellerin during his time in Spain.

The Greek announced his retirement from professional football in May 2024, where he played his last professional game for Real Betis, against Real Madrid at the end of the 2023/24 La Liga season.

Dani Ceballos

Dani Ceballos spent two seasons at Arsenal on loan, racking up 77 appearances for the Gunners in total across both his spells at the club.

The creative midfielder made his Arsenal debut against Burnley in the league where he was the difference maker, getting two assists in a 2-1 win over the Clarets.

Ceballos had a lengthier spell with the Spanish side making 105 appearances for Real Betis between 2014 and 2017. During the 2014/15 season the talismanic midfielder helped Los Verdiblancos win the Segunda Division title at just 18 years old.

The midfielder's time at the club saw his most successful goalscoring spell, with seven goals, the most out of any club he has played for.

Joel Campbell

Joel Campbell is a Costa Rican winger who represented the Gunners 40 times across all competitions, scoring four goals.

Campbell is the first (and only) Costa Rican to play for Arsenal but spent much of his time out on loan and struggled for minutes with the first team.

Despite having been signed in 2011, the winger didn't make his Gunners debut until 2014, a Community Shield win against Manchester City.

The Costa Rican's first time at Real Betis was actually a loan spell from the North London side during the 2012/13 season where he amassed 28 appearances, scoring two goals.

The winger was later re-signed on a loan deal once again by the Spanish outfit, this time only making eight appearances for the club, scoring two goals during the 2017/18 season.

Out of the four only Bellerin will make his return to the Emirates on Wednesday in the green and white and we look forward to seeing him in action once again. We thank all four players, who played for both teams respectively, for their service in the Red and White. Once a Gunner always a Gunner.

GIRONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 01: Christos Tzolis of Arsenal celebrates with Kai Havertz of Arsenal after scoring the team's second goal during the during the pre-season friendly match between Girona FC and Arsenal FC at Montilivi Stadium on August 01, 2026 in Girona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

16-year-old Max Dowman is the youngest Premier League winner in history (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Ready to capitalise on a first Premier League title in 22 years (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Max Dowman and Gabriel Jesus Celebrate as Arsenal Take a 3-1 Lead Over Girona (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

The club captain and fan favourite is reportedly on the brink of a switch to the Gunners (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Credit: NurPhoto/ GettyImages

LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - JULY 23: Arsenal unveil new signing Christos Tzolis at Sobha Realty Training Centre on July 23, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal had six former Hale End graduates earn a Premier League medal last season (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

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