Tottenham Hotspur claimed a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in a feisty pre-season North London derby in Hong Kong, with Pape Matar Sarr’s outrageous long-range chip proving the difference in a game full of intensity and talking points.
The Senegal midfielder caught Arsenal keeper David Raya off his line with a stunning strike from the centre circle in the 44th minute, after Myles Lewis-Skelly lost the ball under pressure.
Sarr’s goal ; his third of the pre-season capped a dominant spell for Spurs, who had already struck the post three times in the first half.
Spurs, now under new manager Thomas Frank, were well-organized and effective, showcasing a tactical clarity that frustrated Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Gunners started brightly but faded as the game wore on, struggling to convert possession into clear-cut chances.
Arsenal’s new striker Viktor Gyokeres was handed his debut in the second half but was largely kept quiet, with just a single touch in his opening 20 minutes.
Fellow new signing Martin Zubimendi came close to leveling but dragged a shot wide after linking well with Gyokeres.
Despite a flurry of late substitutions and six minutes of added time, Arsenal could not find a way through a resolute Tottenham backline.
With the win, Frank earns bragging rights in his first derby as Spurs boss, while Arsenal are left searching for solutions in attack ahead of the new season.
