Arsenal confirm Dublin pre-season friendly against Real Betis

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Arsenal have officially announced they will play Real Betis in a pre-season friendly at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on August 5th, with kick-off scheduled for 7:30pm.

The fixture marks the Gunners’ first return to Ireland for pre-season in eight years, since they last played at the same venue against Chelsea in August 2018. That match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes before Arsenal won 6-5 on penalties, with Alexandre Lacazette, Reiss Nelson, Matteo Guendouzi, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Mesut Özil and Alex Iwobi all converting from the spot while Ruben Loftus-Cheek missed for Chelsea.

The Spanish opponents will bring added intrigue to the encounter, as Real Betis currently features former Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin in their squad. The full-back, who spent eight years in north London between 2013 and 2021, could face his former club for the first time since his departure.

Dublin has become an increasingly popular destination for Premier League clubs’ pre-season tours, with the Aviva Stadium’s 51,700 capacity providing an ideal venue for such fixtures. The match comes at a crucial time in Arsenal’s summer preparations, falling in early August as the club finalizes their squad ahead of the new campaign.

According to Arseblog, ticket information is available through the official Arsenal website, with Irish supporters eagerly anticipating the opportunity to see the first team in action on home soil.

The timing of the fixture places it strategically within Arsenal’s pre-season schedule, coming after the conclusion of the World Cup final on July 19th but before the traditional Community Shield date of August 16th. This positioning allows the club to build match fitness while giving players adequate rest following international commitments.

For Arsenal, the Dublin friendly represents an opportunity to strengthen their connection with Irish supporters while testing themselves against La Liga opposition. Real Betis, under their current management, have established themselves as a competitive force in Spanish football, making them ideal preparation for the rigors of Premier League competition.

The match also provides a chance for fringe players and new signings to stake their claim for regular first-team football, with pre-season fixtures often serving as auditions for squad places in the upcoming campaign. Arsenal supporters will be particularly keen to see how any summer additions adapt to the team’s playing style ahead of the competitive season.