Mikel Arteta says Arsenal players were ‘fuming’ after Real Betis defeat

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted his players were left “fuming” after their 3-1 pre-season defeat to Real Betis in Dublin on Wednesday, but believes the disappointment could prove beneficial ahead of the new campaign.

The Gunners were punished for a string of defensive mistakes as Betis raced into a commanding first-half lead. Rodrigo Riquelme, Nelson Deossa and Pablo Fornals all found the net before Piero Hincapie pulled one back for Arsenal shortly after the half-hour mark.

Despite the defeat, Arteta welcomed the reaction from his squad, insisting their frustration shows the standards they have set for themselves.

“Very upset, giving each other a hard time. They are fuming, but this is good. That’s what we need,” Arteta told reporters.

“There are things to improve, obviously, and some positives to take from the game. Sometimes a bad result is good because it creates even more fire in the belly.”

Arsenal were missing several key first-team players, including Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke, while captain Martin Odegaard has only recently returned to individual training.

Even so, Arteta named a strong starting XI featuring summer signing Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and new arrival Christos Tzolis.

The only major concern from the match was an injury to promising youngster Louie Copley, who was forced off shortly after coming on as a substitute with a knee problem.

Arteta admitted he is worried about the 19-year-old’s condition and is awaiting the results of medical tests.

“Quite worried, to be fair, for the kid because the mechanism doesn’t look very positive and the symptoms that he already has,” Arteta said.

“We are going to have to wait for tomorrow’s scan. Touch wood it’s not a serious one.”

Arsenal will now turn their attention to the start of the Premier League season, with Arteta’s side set to open their campaign against Coventry City on August 21.