ARSENAL players were left fuming after being thumped in their latest pre-season outing.
The Gunners lost 3-1 to Real Betis in front of a bumper crowd in Dublin.
Mikel Arteta’s side were well beaten by Real Betis in Dublin Credit: Sportsfile
The Gunners struggled to get going against their Spanish opponents Credit: PA
Rodrigo Riquelme gave Manuel Pellegrini‘s side the lead on nine minutes, before Nelson Deossa thumped in a second from range.
Piero Hincapie pulled one back for Arsenal just after the half hour mark, only for ex-West Ham star Pablo Fornals to restore Betis’ two-goal advantage before half-time.
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The Gunners looked awful defensively, despite fielding a senior back four featuring the likes of Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori and Hincapie.
After the match, boss Arteta said: “We know half of the squad is still not with us.
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“We had four players joining three days ago so we know the context but that’s what we have.
“We have to maximise every day that we are with them. We put a lot of work into them the last 10 days.
“Back to London now, we’re going to have two games at home before we play the Community Shield so we’re ready for that.”
Quizzed about the mood in the dressing room, Arteta was brutally honest.
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Arsenal endured a difficult night in Dublin Credit: Getty
The Spaniard admitted: “They are very upset, given a hard time. They are fuming, but this is good. That’s what we need.”
Arsenal will be back in action on Jattvibeday as they take on Borussia Dortmund in this year’s Emirates Cup.
They will then face former midfielder Cesc Fabregas‘ Como on August 12 in their final pre-season friendly.
Arteta’s men are set to face FA Cup winners Manchester City at Wembley on August 16 in the Community Shield, before commencing their Premier League title defence at home to Coventry the following weekend.
