Arsenal continue their pre-season preparations with a friendly against Real Betis in Dublin. The match takes place at the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, with a 7:30pm BST kick-off.
The Gunners have already secured a behind-closed-doors win over MK Dons and a 4-1 victory against Girona, which saw them claim the Costa Brava trophy. After a training camp in Catalonia, Mikel Arteta's side now face Spanish opposition once again.
Opponents and form
Real Betis, managed by former Manchester City and West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini, have been back in training since the weekend of the World Cup final. They have won four of their five friendlies, including an impressive victory over Lyon.
Betis's squad includes familiar faces such as Junior Firpo, Pablo Fornals, Isco, and former Manchester United winger Anthony. The game will be special for Hector Bellerin, who faces his former club for the first time since leaving in 2021.
Team news
Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli could make their first appearances of the summer after missing the Girona match due to late arrival. Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres, and Piero Hincapie may see increased workload after being substituted at half-time at the weekend as part of planned changes.
Christian Norgaard is unlikely to feature as he is rumored to be close to a move to Everton. Captain Martin Odegaard is expected to return from his post-World Cup holiday this week, but the game may come too soon for him. David Raya, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze remain on holiday, while Jurrien Timber is a doubt.
How to watch
The game will not be televised live in the UK. Fans can watch via Arsenal's website and app, with a pay-per-view pass costing £6.99 or a full pre-season streaming bundle for £14.99. Standard Sport will also run a live blog on matchday.
Prediction and odds
Real Betis are expected to provide a sterner test than Girona, with their pre-season form suggesting they will pose defensive questions. Arsenal are predicted to be too strong, with a 3-1 win forecast.
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two clubs at any level. Odds are: Arsenal 4/7, Real Betis 19/5, Draw 3/1, subject to change.
