Pape Matar Sarr scored a stunner as Tottenham beat Arsenal 1-0 in an unsurprisingly fiery friendly that featured a late appearance from the Gunners' new striker, Viktor Gyokeres.
Spurs hit the post three times in the first halfSarr chipped Raya from halfway after Lewis-Skelly errorGyokeres came on for the final 15 minutesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportTELL ME MORE
Both Thomas Frank and Mikel Arteta named strong sides for the game at a packed Kai Tak Stadium but it was Spurs who proved the far more cohesive unit during the first half.
The Europa League winners hit the post three times in total, with Pedro Porro and Mohammed Kudus both striking the upright directly from corners that left David Raya flapping at thin air. The impressive Wilson Odobert also saw a low effort deflected onto the post after the ball had rebounded into his path on the left-hand side of the area.
Frank's team were, thus, good value for what proved the game's only goal, which came courtesy of Sarr, who sensationally chipped a stranded Raya from the halfway line, after Myles Lewis-Skelly had been caught in possession by Richarlison.
Arsenal improved after the break but Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli wasted decent shooting opportunities, while Gyokeres didn't really get a sniff of goal after coming on for the final 15 minutes, and it was Spurs who actually went closest to scoring, when Mickey van de Ven sent a back-post header just wide after good work on the right wing from Mathys Tel.
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Obviously, Sarr's stunning strike deserves to dominate the headlines after a competitive encounter in Hong Kong but Odobert really caught the eye during Tottenham's impressive first-half performance. The versatile 20-year-old winger was a real threat down the left flank with his direct dribbling. The Frenchman definitely looks like one to keep an eye on this season.
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Gyokeres made zero impact on the game for Arsenal, though the way in which Havertz once again struggled to provide a cutting edge underlined why the Swede has been signed.
Elsewhere, Martin Zubimendi, who took over in midfield from fellow new signing Christian Norgaard, helped the Gunners control the game after his introduction while the Basque also drew a decent stop out of Guglielmo Vicario with a good strike from the edge of the box.
There was also a late cameo from former Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, although he had very little to do as Arsenal pinned Spurs back inside their own half for the majority of the closing stages.
As for Spurs, ex-West Ham winger Kudus was very composed in possession and also caused problems with his deliveries.
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Arsenal are understandably very excited about Max Dowman, who impressed so much in last weekend's 3-2 win over Newcastle. The 15-year-old only got 12 minutes here, after taking over in attack from Bukayo Saka, but his fearlessness once again stood out. He clearly believes he belongs at this level – and it's easy to understand why, given he's so composed and dangerous on the ball.