Arsenal face Real Betis in their latest pre-season friendly as they continue preparations for a Premier League title defence on a day where they moved much closer to sealing the signing of Bruno Guimaraes.

The Gunners take on their Spanish opponents – who finished fifth in LaLiga last season and reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League – at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, hoping to build on a 4-1 thrashing of Girona last time out, where Gabriel Jesus, Max Dowman and new signing Christos Tzolis all scored

Mikel Arteta’s side received a boost earlier today when Brazil international Guimaraes was given permission to travel to Arsenal for a medical ahead of a £75m move from Newcastle United, after both clubs finally agreed a fee. The 28-year-old midfielder looks set to officially join in the next few days.

Arsenal are also continuing their pursuit of Guimaraes’ international team-mate Vinicius Jr, although Real Madrid are said to have offered fresh terms to the Brazilian after his return to training on Tuesday, but Arteta’s immediate focus is getting minutes into his players’ legs ahead of the Community Shield against Manchester City in two weeks’ time, with Betis offering a fascinating test this evening.

Follow all the action with our live blog below:

Tonight's venue - the Aviva Stadium

Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, most frequently seen hosting Ireland internationals in both football and rugby union, is the venue for tonight’s clash.

The stadium has a unique, slightly odd design with one side dipped down in a wavelike form to avoid blocking the light for local two-storey houses. I don’t mind it to be honest - something a bit different

Arsenal v Real Betis

Tonight should be a good test for Arsenal in Dublin, after Betis fifth in LaLiga last season and reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

It will be fascinating to see what sort of line-up Arteta opts for as he tries to get the right amount of minutes into players’ leg ahead of the new campaign.