Tottenham beat North London rivals Arsenal 1-0 in a pleasant in Hong Kong forward of latest Premier League season.
Pape Matar Sarr scored from the midway line as Tottenham punished a shaky efficiency by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya to win the primary North London derby staged outdoors the UK 1-0.
Raya, who had already been caught in no-man’s land twice as in-swinging corners hit the publish, was at fault once more within the forty fifth minute on Thursday when Sarr robbed Myles Lewis-Skelly simply contained in the Arsenal half.
The Spurs midfielder appeared up, noticed Raya stranded manner outdoors his penalty space and let fly to attain in outrageous style from 50 yards out.
Nominally a preseason “pleasant”, there was no love misplaced on the pitch between the bitter rivals.
Tackles flew in and tempers frayed in a fiercely contested conflict in entrance of a 49,975 sellout crowd underneath the roof in Hong Kong’s air-conditioned Kai Tak Stadium.
Arsenal began the stronger nevertheless it was Tottenham who hit the woodwork thrice in a frantic first half and deserved their lead on the break.
Arsenal laid siege to the Tottenham objective firstly of the second half, however new supervisor Thomas Frank had his defence well-drilled and the Gunners discovered it onerous to interrupt by.
Gabriel Martinelli did handle to search out a gap on 58 minutes however shot wastefully over the bar from 14 yards.
Arsenal introduced on Leandro Trossard and new signing Martin Zubimendi, who nearly scored together with his first contact when his shot was deflected over the bar.
An enormous cheer went up when Son Heung-min was launched by Tottenham within the seventy fifth minute.
It was adopted by a fair greater ovation when new striker Viktor Gyokeres additionally got here off the bench for his Arsenal debut with 13 minutes to go.
The Swedish striker, sporting the quantity 14 shirt made well-known by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, was signed for $67m six days in the past.
He made some darting runs as Arsenal pressed for a late equaliser, however will want time to rise up to hurry together with his new membership.
Tottenham now fly on to South Korea to face Newcastle United on Sunday, whereas Arsenal head dwelling after three matches in Singapore and Hong Kong.
The Gunners completed second within the Premier League final season, for a 3rd consecutive yr, as Liverpool topped the desk by 10 factors.
Outrageous from Pape Sarr 😮💨
Do not miss the motion – watch the second half dwell on SPURSPLAY 📺
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 31, 2025
