Arsenal suffered a 3-1 defeat against Real Betis in their pre-season friendly in Dublin, a match that underscored concerns about the team's goalkeeping depth and defensive cohesion.
Kepa Arrizabalaga's performance came under scrutiny after a series of errors in the first half. For Real Betis' opening goal in the ninth minute, Arrizabalaga aimlessly charged out and missed a corner kick, allowing Rodrigo Riquelme to score. While not directly at fault for the second goal, a long-range strike from Nelson Deossa, the build-up involved a poor clearance by Arrizabalaga that eventually led to the opportunity. Pablo Fornals added a third goal for Betis before halftime. These mistakes echo previous high-stakes errors, such as in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.
The club's decision to sign Illan Meslier as a third-choice goalkeeper raised questions about Arrizabalaga's role as the second-choice. However, the match against Real Betis appeared to justify the signing, highlighting potential vulnerabilities. With Arsenal aiming for silverware across multiple competitions, an error-prone second-choice goalkeeper could be a significant liability. Manager Mikel Arteta has previously shown a willingness to make tough decisions regarding goalkeepers, as seen in the situation involving Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya. Selling Arrizabalaga could be a logical step if a suitable offer materializes, with Tommy Setford, the third-choice keeper last season, potentially capable of stepping up.
Arsenal's defense also displayed moments of confusion, struggling to decide whether to press opponents or maintain a defensive line. This uncertainty contributed to Deossa and Fornals scoring from distance. While the introduction of Gabriel in the second half improved cohesion, the defense appeared noticeably weaker without William Saliba. Piero Hincapie, playing at left-back, seemed out of position, suggesting the need for reinforcement in central defense during the summer transfer window.
Amidst the challenges, young attacker Ethan Nwaneri showed flashes of potential. His dribbling ability and forward-thinking play were evident, creating opportunities and posing a threat to the opposition's defense. Nwaneri's career has faced some stagnation since his loan spell at Marseille, where his initial progress under Roberto de Zerbi was curtailed by the manager's dismissal. Now, Nwaneri is seizing his chances, presenting Mikel Arteta with a decision regarding his future role.
The forward line also presents a point of interest, with the competition for the No. 9 position between Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz. Although Havertz started consecutive matches, suggesting a return to fitness, neither player made a significant impact in the match against Real Betis. The partnership between the two was limited last season due to Havertz's knee issues, and Arteta's preferred setup for the upcoming campaign remains to be seen.
Arsenal's remaining pre-season fixtures include matches against Borussia Dortmund and Como before the Community Shield, with their Premier League title defense commencing at home against Coventry.