Arsenal vs Real Betis live updates: Pre-season friendly latest team news and predictions

It is about time Arsenal pushed forward and neared a total agreement for the transfer of Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes.

After missing out on Morgan Rogers, who joined Chelsea from Aston Villa for £117million ($157m), there is a feeling that the club must get a move on with their incoming summer transfer business.

Arsenal are the Premier League champions, but that title alone will not earn them any points when the campaign kicks off on August 21 at home against Coventry City.

Seasons that follow international tournaments are never easy to navigate. That, alongside a truncated pre-season, could complicate matters for them more than most, with less clarity and more staggered returns from midfielders in pre-season.

Arsenal were unable to retain the title after their three previous triumphs in the 34-year Premier League era.

Adding a personality and player such as Guimaraes could help add another sense of drive to this team as they try to do just that.