Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Real Betis as Gunners aim to continue strong start

Arsenal take on La Liga side Real Betis in their second pre-season fixture on Wednesday evening.

The Gunners opened their 2026/27 campaign with a 4-1 victory over Girona last week. Goals from Kai Havertz, Christos Tzolis, Max Dowman and Gabriel Jesus saw off the Spanish outfit, and meant Mikel Arteta's side kicked their pre-season off with resounding win.

Next up, a visit to Dublin to play in front of the club's devout Irish supporters awaits. Betis, who qualified for the Champions League by finishing fifth in La Liga last season, are the opponent.

Arteta will be without several key players who are still enjoying their holidays after taking part in the World Cup, so the Spaniard may be forced to pick something of a makeshift starting eleven.

With that in mind, here is how Arsenal could line up against Betis.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Real Betis (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) - David Raya isn't due back at Sohba Realty for at least another week, meaning Kepa will assume his place in between the sticks. Expect Illan Meslier to make way for the former Chelsea man at some point in the second half.

Ben White (RB) - Jurrien Timber didn't make the squad against Girona and is likely yet to train with the first team as he continues his rehabilitation from an injury, meaning White will keep his place at right-back.

Cristhian Mosquera (CB) - With William Saliba likely out for at least three months, Mosquera is set to play a key role in the opening period of the season. Minutes in these upcoming friendlies will therefore be vital for the Spaniard.

Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) - Returning to training over the weekend, Gabriel could be in contention to start in Dublin. That said, given he's only been back a matter of days, the Brazilian may be given a brief cameo at the start of the game, in a similar vein to Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Piero Hincapie against Girona.

Riccardo Calafiori (LB) - Having enjoyed a summer off following Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup, Calafiori should be given another outing from the start, with Hincapie likely the man to replace Gabriel once the imperious centre-back has run his course.

Midfielders

Myles Lewis-Skelly (CM) - Christian Norgaard is set to join Everton in a £7 million deal, meaning Lewis-Skelly is the only deep midfielder available to Arteta at the moment. Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice are all yet to return to training.

Ethan Nwaneri (CM) - Nwaneri should be in line to start again, with Arteta likely to roll out a dual ten system due to the lack of senior midfielders in his squad currently.

Kai Havertz (CM) - Until some of the midfielders return, Havertz is likely to be used as a number eight, although he'll essentially be deployed as a second striker in this system.

Forwards

Max Dowman (RW) - With Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke still away, Dowman will be granted another opportunity to impress against Betis. If he produces like he did against Girona, conversations will start to be had around him featuring from the start when the serious games commence.

Viktor Gyokeres (ST) - While Gabriel Jesus is still in the fold, Gyokeres will lead the line once again and will hope to be given more than the 30 minutes he received on Saturday.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - Like Gabriel, Martinelli is back in training and could be given the first half an hour of this game to catch up on the fitness front. Expect new signing Tzolis to replace him.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Real Betis: Kepa, White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Havertz, Dowman, Gyokeres, Martinelli.

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