Arsenal are set to face off against Real Betis for a pre-season friendly in Dublin in August, with plans to schedule another game overseas in Europe.
Ryan Taylor reports for Football.London that Arsenal are set to play a pre-season friendly in Dublin against Real Betis this summer, with the game taking place at the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday, August 5th.
The match would be a chance for former Gunner Hector Bellerin to face off against his old club, as he has a contract with Betis until 2028.
If officially confirmed, this friendly would be the first to be formally added to Arsenal’s pre-season schedule. Despite plenty of rumours about the Gunners’ summer plans, nothing has been announced by the club at this stage.
Taylor does add that it’s understood Arsenal are also in ongoing discussions about another overseas friendly in Europe.
An Emirates Cup game has also already effectively been confirmed, as the club auctioned box seats at The Arsenal Foundation Celebration Dinner in February. But there’s been no official announcement, and no suggestions of the identity of the opponent.
The Gunners aren’t planning a trip to another continent, as has become tradition in recent summers. The dates of the summer World Cup effectively ended that possibility.
There won’t be enough time between the tournament and the start of the Premier League campaign for a major squad trip to the U.S. or Asia on this occasion.
It’s worth mentioning that the Community Shield has been scheduled for Sunday, August 16th at the Principality Stadium in Wales.
As it stands, there’s a decent chance Arsenal will be involved in that game, so the Gunners can’t finalise any plans that would otherwise occupy them that weekend.