Pape Sarr stole the show with a sensational goal from just inside Arsenal’s half to hand Tottenham a 1-0 win over fierce rivals Arsenal in a pulsating pre-season encounter in Hong Kong.
The dramatic moment came late in the first half when Sarr dispossessed Myles Lewis-Skelly, though Arsenal players protested a foul by Richarlison in the buildup and launched a stunning long-range strike over goalkeeper David Raya, who was caught off his line.
It was Tottenham’s only shot on target and enough to separate the two sides at the break.
Earlier in the half, Raya appeared unconvincing during set-pieces, as Spurs twice struck the post directly from corners.
Richarlison squandered a golden opportunity after the second near-miss, firing wide from close range.
Tottenham’s Wilson Odobert also rattled the woodwork with a low effort in an intense first 45 minutes, during which midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was shown a yellow card for a late tackle on Bukayo Saka.
Tensions flared after the break in true north London derby fashion. Spurs defender Pedro Porro clashed with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta near the touchline, nudging the Spaniard aside before taking a throw-in, believing Arteta was obstructing him.
Arsenal’s new £63.5 million signing, Viktor Gyokeres, came off the bench in the 77th minute for his first appearance, replacing Saka, who had just received treatment.
The Swedish striker made little impact in his brief cameo, registering just two touches as Arsenal managed only one shot on target in the second half.
The match marked the first north London derby ever played abroad, and Spurs were awarded a trophy for their victory, prompting the club to post on social media: “another one for the trophy cabinet”. The win follows their UEFA Europa League triumph last season.
Arsenal now wrap up their pre-season Asia tour and will return to London to face Villarreal at the Emirates on Wednesday.
Spurs are set to play Newcastle in South Korea on Sunday.
Arteta Reflects on Gyokeres Debut and Tour Takeaways
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta shared his thoughts post-match on Gyokeres and fellow debutant Cristhian Mosquera, “I’m really happy to have them here. I think they are going to add a lot of value. You see straight away the energy and the quality they are going to bring.
“It was a short one, but at least that one is over now, and when they play against Villareal now, I’m sure it will be different.”
He also evaluated the team’s overall pre-season preparations in Asia, “Yes, for the three of them and today in particular. Again, it threw different demands and different understanding of things that we have to do.
“I am very pleased with what I’ve seen in most of the things that we’ve done, but we miss something in certain moments. That preciseness, that moment that unlocks the result, the moment to turn the result our way and with the match.
“But in terms of attitude, they desire, level of organisation in the team, it was great and we have to continue to elevate a little bit all the individual aspects.”
Frank Hails Kudus, Updates on Solanke
Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank praised the performance of Mohammed Kudus following the match, “I think he was really good today. His hold-up play, the way he takes hold of the ball in tricky situations. His one-vs-one skills, his creating opportunities for the team was top class.
“On top of that, I think he’s working extremely hard, and there was was recovery run from a set-piece when he was straining all the way back and he won the ball back. That’s how he can help the team so much.
“He will make a lot of the fans excited with his offensive actions, and he will also help the team defensively.”
On Dominic Solanke’s absence from the squad, Frank provided a positive update, “He’s close, if not for Sunday (vs Newcastle), then he should be fit to play against Bayern (on August 7).”
