Key talking points ahead of Arsenal vs Real Betis clash in pre-season friendly
By Joel Masibo, August 4, 2026Arsenal will continue preparations for the 2026/27 season with a pre-season encounter against Spanish outfit Real Betis at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
The fixture marks Arsenal’s return to Ireland for a pre-season match for the first time since 2018, when the Gunners drew 1-1 with Chelsea before edging the Blues in a penalty shootout. It will also be the first competitive meeting between Arsenal and the Seville-based club.
A club with more than a century of history
Real Betis trace their roots back to September 1907, when they were established by a group of students under the name Sevilla Balompié. The club adopted its current identity, Real Betis Balompié, seven years later.
The Andalusian side’s greatest domestic achievement remains their 1934/35 La Liga triumph, when they finished ahead of Real Madrid by a single point. Although they have experienced several relegations over the decades, Betis have become regulars in Spain’s top division since securing promotion by winning the Segunda División title in the 2014/15 season.
They have also lifted the Copa del Rey three times, with their latest success coming in 2022 after defeating Valencia in a penalty shootout. Under Manuel Pellegrini, the club has consistently qualified for European football over the last five seasons, including reaching the UEFA Europa Conference League final in 2025, where they were beaten by Chelsea.
Temporary home
Betis are currently playing their home fixtures at Estadio La Cartuja while renovations continue at their traditional ground, Estadio Benito Villamarín. The redevelopment project is expected to conclude in 2028.
La Cartuja has a capacity of around 70,000 spectators, making it one of Spain’s biggest stadiums. It has regularly hosted Spain international matches and was among the venues selected for UEFA Euro 2021.
Arsenal and Betis will instead meet at the Aviva Stadium, a venue that opened in 2010 and accommodates more than 51,000 fans. Arsenal last played there during the 2020 Europa League campaign.
Champions League return
Real Betis enjoyed an impressive 2025/26 campaign, finishing fifth in La Liga to secure qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
It will be their first appearance in Europe’s premier club competition since the 2005/06 season, when they competed in a group featuring Liverpool, Chelsea and Anderlecht.
Last season, Betis collected 60 league points while also reaching the quarter-finals of both the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Europa League.
Pellegrini continues to dead
Veteran coach Manuel Pellegrini has been in charge since 2020 and has overseen one of the club’s most successful modern eras.
The experienced Chilean guided Betis to Copa del Rey glory in his second season and later led them to the 2025 Europa Conference League final before they fell to Chelsea in Poland.
English football supporters know Pellegrini well from his time in the Premier League, where he won the league title and two League Cups during his spell at Manchester City before later managing West Ham United.
Familiar faces
After qualifying for the Champions League, Betis strengthened their squad ahead of the new campaign with the arrivals of Fran Garcia from Real Madrid, Uruguayan midfielder Facundo Bernal from Fluminense and goalkeeper Diego Conde on loan from Villarreal.
The squad also includes former Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin, who made over 200 appearances during his nine-year stay in north London.
Several players also have Premier League experience, including former West Ham midfielder Pablo Fornals, ex-Manchester United winger Antony, former Leeds United defender Diego Llorente and midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who previously represented Tottenham Hotspur.
Club captain Isco remains a key creative figure despite being 34, while striker Cucho Hernandez finished as Betis’ leading scorer last season after previously playing for Watford, where he even found the net against Arsenal.
Arsenal’s previous visits to Ireland
Arsenal have enjoyed several memorable trips to Ireland over the years.
Their last pre-season visit came in 2018 against Chelsea, where a late equaliser from Alex Lacazette forced penalties before Arsenal converted all six spot-kicks to claim victory.
The Gunners returned to Dublin in 2020 for a Europa League clash against Dundalk, recording a 4-2 victory thanks to goals from Joe Willock, Folarin Balogun, Eddie Nketiah and a spectacular strike from Mohamed Elneny.
Historically, Arsenal also toured Ireland in 1948, 1950 and 1962 to play Bohemians, before making further visits in 1986 to face Shamrock Rovers and Waterford, returning to meet Bohemians again in 1989 and Shelbourne in 1992.