Arsenal will play Betis at the Aviva Stadium in August Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
Arsenal have confirmed they will face Real Betis in Dublin in August as part of their pre-season preparations.
The north London club and the La Liga side will meet at the Aviva Stadium, the home of the Ireland national rugby union team and the Republic of Ireland football team, on August 5.
It will mark Arsenal’s first pre-season visit to the Republic of Ireland since 2018, when the club faced Chelsea at the Aviva Stadium.
The north London side last played in the Republic of Ireland in December 2020 when they beat League of Ireland side Dundalk 4-2 in the Europa League. This game was played without supporters due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last summer, Arsenal’s pre-season preparations took them to Singapore and Hong Kong. In 2024, after a summer that featured the European Championship, the Copa America and the Paris Olympics, they toured the United States, and they did the same in 2023.
The game against Betis could see Arsenal reunited with former defender Hector Bellerin.
The 31-year-old right-back made 239 appearances for Arsenal, and in an interview with Footebate last week said: “I really hope (Arsenal win the league). It’s been a long time coming. I think they’re doing a great job. I watch them a lot, lots of old teammates, and I’m still a Gunner.”
“We’re all excited to be coming back to Dublin in August,” Arsenal CEO Richard Garlick said. “We have incredible support in the Republic of Ireland, and we’re really looking forward to connecting with our supporters in Dublin once again.”
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