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See the full story · 1 sourcesArsenal suffer pre-season defeat to Real Betis LIVE!
Analysis by Sky Sports' Nick Wright and Sam Blitz:With a lengthy list of players still to return following the World Cup, Mikel Arteta gave another chance to the midfield trio of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Kai Havertz following the win over Girona. This time, they found it more difficult.Lewis-Skelly had some bright moments on the ball at No 6. He completed 70 of his 74 passes. But he couldn't provide the same level of defensive coverage of Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, or indeed Bruno Guimaraes, whose move from Newcastle is getting closer.Lewis-Skelly should still have a significant role to play for Arsenal this season. But Arsenal's struggles in midfield in Dublin showed why the club have pursued Guimaraes so aggressively. He will add elite quality and give Arsenal a level of depth their midfield currently lacks.Arsenal looked so far from their usual selves defensively - they made uncharacteristic defensive errors, failed to close down dangerous shots and gave the ball away far too cheaply.Yes, it's pre-season, but is that a bigger concern for Mikel Arteta than it may seem?Three out of the back four that played a nightmare first half - Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori - are currently on course to start the season as first-choice. There is no William Saliba for an extended period due to injury and Jurrien Timber looks no closer to returning. They face Aston Villa and Chelsea in the first three weeks of the season.Arteta will be hoping this slack collective defensive performance is a one-off - and the issues are ironed out quickly.Speaking of defensive concerns, Kepa Arrizabalaga had a torrid first half.He flapped at a corner for Real Betis' first goal, then his sloppy looped clearance gave Betis possession in the build-up to the Spanish side's second goal.What has not helped Kepa's cause is Illan Meslier pulling off a wonder save to deny Isco in the second period. That followed two smart stops against Girona last weekend. The former Leeds goalkeeper has started life at Arsenal with a point to prove.Is it possible that Kepa is now third choice at Arsenal? If so, those errors have not only damaged his Arsenal career - but also his chances of a lucrative move away.