Arsenal v Real Betis: kick-off delayed in Dublin friendly, club cites traffic
Arsenal's second pre-season friendly of the summer, against Real Betis at Dublin's Aviva Stadium, was delayed shortly before its scheduled 7:30 p.m. start, with the club blaming traffic.
Arsenal's pre-season friendly against Real Betis at Dublin's Aviva Stadium was delayed shortly before its scheduled 7:30 p.m. kick-off on Wednesday, 5 August. According to a club statement, traffic was the cause of the delay. The revised start time was not immediately confirmed.
Arsenal's pre-season friendly against Real Betis at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin was delayed shortly before kick-off, with the club issuing a statement attributing the hold-up to traffic. The match had been scheduled to start at 7.30pm BST on Wednesday, 5 August, according to reports, though how long the delay lasted was not confirmed. The fixture was Arsenal's second official friendly of the summer, following a heavy win over Girona the previous weekend — a match that was itself disrupted by technical problems, after which Arsenal reportedly offered full refunds to fans. Both clubs confirmed their starting lineups ahead of kick-off in Dublin, with Dowman and Christos Tzolis named in Arsenal's side, according to reports. Tzolis is said to have joined Arsenal as a winger for a reported £34 million fee. On the Betis side, former Arsenal defender Héctor Bellerín now plays at right-back. The delay added an awkward note to a busy day for the club. On the same day, Arsenal reportedly agreed a fee for Bruno Guimaraes, while television and streaming coverage of the friendly had been made available to viewers in the UK and Ireland.
Kick-off delayed in Dublin after traffic problems
Arsenal's pre-season friendly against Real Betis at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin was hit by a late delay on Wednesday 5 August. The match had been scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. local time, the same as 7:30 p.m. BST for viewers in the UK.
Shortly before the start, Arsenal issued a statement confirming that kick-off had been pushed back. According to the club, the delay was caused by traffic. How long the hold-up lasted, and the revised start time, have not been confirmed.
Both clubs had already confirmed their starting lineups ahead of kick-off, and UK broadcast and streaming information had been published earlier in the day, with television and streaming coverage made available to viewers. The fixture is part of Arsenal's preparations for the new season against Spanish opposition and, according to reports, their second official friendly of the summer. Fans inside the Dublin venue were left waiting as the disruption unfolded, with no immediate word from either club on when play would get under way.
Arsenal beat Girona heavily in a pre-season friendly, their first of the summer; technical problems during that match later led Arsenal to offer full refunds to fans.
Arsenal's second official friendly of the summer, against Real Betis at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, was scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. local time (also 7:30 p.m. BST).
Arsenal and Real Betis confirmed their starting lineups, with Dowman and Christos Tzolis named in Arsenal's side.
UK broadcast and streaming information for the match was published, with television and streaming coverage made available to viewers.
Arsenal agreed a fee for Bruno Guimaraes.
Arsenal issued a statement confirming kick-off was delayed because of traffic.
A second summer friendly after a disrupted Girona win
The Dublin fixture was described in pre-match coverage as Arsenal's second official friendly of the summer, part of their preparations for the new season against Spanish opposition. It came days after a heavy win over Girona, their first warm-up match of the campaign.
That Girona game did not pass smoothly. According to reports, technical problems disrupted the friendly, and Arsenal later offered full refunds to fans affected. The club will have hoped for a cleaner evening in Ireland.
Viewers were able to follow the Betis match, with television and streaming coverage made available. UK broadcast and streaming information was published ahead of kick-off, according to reports, allowing supporters to watch a side still taking shape under Mikel Arteta before the competitive season begins.
Tzolis and Dowman in Arsenal's side, Bellerín on the other
Arsenal's starting lineup for the friendly reportedly included Dowman and Christos Tzolis, the winger said to have joined the club for a reported £34 million. Those details come from pre-match reports rather than official confirmation, and the full teamsheets for either side have not been made public beyond those names.
On the other side, Real Betis count former Arsenal right-back Héctor Bellerín among their number. The Spaniard, who operates at right-back or wing-back, is a familiar face to Arsenal supporters from his years in north London. Betis also have Spanish central midfielder Dani Ceballos in their ranks. Whether either Bellerín or Ceballos featured in the match itself has not been reported, and no details of their involvement, or that of any other Betis player, were confirmed ahead of kick-off.
Transfer news around the club on matchday
Matchday brought movement off the pitch as well as on it. Arsenal reportedly agreed a fee for Bruno Guimaraes on the day of the friendly, according to reports, though the size of the fee and whether the transfer was completed remain unclear.
Elsewhere, Jeremy Monga completed a £10 million move from Leicester to Manchester City and made his debut in a City win. The winger had rejected Arsenal before choosing the Etihad. Monga has spoken about his ambitions openly, saying he aims to emulate his idol Eden Hazard.
The Guimaraes development, if confirmed, would represent significant business for Mikel Arteta's side as the new season approaches. For now, the details are thin: no figure has been disclosed, and there is no confirmation that the deal has gone through.
Frequently asked questions
When is Arsenal vs Real Betis and what time is kick-off?
The friendly was scheduled for Wednesday, 5 August, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Kick-off was set for 7:30 p.m. local time in Ireland, which is also 7:30 p.m. BST in the UK. However, Arsenal issued a statement confirming kick-off was delayed, reportedly because of traffic. How long the delay lasted and the actual start time have not been reported.
Where is the Arsenal vs Real Betis friendly being played?
The pre-season friendly was held at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. It formed part of Arsenal's preparations for the new season against Spanish opposition and was reported to be the club's second official friendly of the summer, following a heavy win over Girona the weekend before.
Can I watch Arsenal vs Real Betis on TV or stream it?
Yes. Television and streaming coverage of the friendly was made available to viewers, and UK broadcast and streaming information was published ahead of kick-off. Fans could follow the match live rather than relying on highlights or post-match coverage.
Who is in Arsenal's starting lineup against Real Betis?
Arsenal and Real Betis confirmed their starting lineups ahead of the friendly. Dowman and Christos Tzolis were named in Arsenal's side, according to reports. Tzolis reportedly joined Arsenal as a winger for a fee of £34 million. The full lineups beyond those names have not been disclosed, and it is not confirmed whether former Arsenal man Héctor Bellerín featured for Betis.
Why was Arsenal vs Real Betis kick-off delayed?
According to Arsenal, kick-off was delayed because of traffic. The club issued a statement confirming the delay, though how long it lasted and when the match eventually started have not been reported. The friendly had originally been scheduled to begin at 7.30pm BST.
Compiled from reporting by 8 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
