A sensational 40-yard goal by Pape Matar Sarr was enough to secure Spurs a win in their most competitive pre-season game yet. The game was the first North London Derby game to be played outside the UK. This was also the first time we've beaten the enemy since May 2022.
The new Kai Tak stadium in Hong Kong was the venue for the game, played in front of a highly enthusiastic crowd, who supported the teams in equal numbers. The term friendly is something of an oxymoron! Spurs wore special edition shirts featuring bespoke numbers by a local artist.
Both teams fielded strong sides. Arsenal included one of their summer signings - Christian Norgaard - who last season played for Spurs coach Thomas Frank at Brentford. Another one of Frank's former players - Raya - was in goal. Three more of Arteta's new boys – Mosquera, Zubimendi and latest acquisition Gyokeres appeared in the second half.
Solanke did not feature in Spurs' 25-man squad, but James Maddison got his first minutes towards the end of the game.
Over the course of the game, Arsenal had more of the possession (55% - 45%) and more shots. However, Vicario did not have one serious save to make. The Spurs defence (and that was not just the back four) were resolute and protected their keeper effectively. On the other hand, Spurs hit the woodwork three times in the first half.
The game was played in 30 degree temperatures and "cooling breaks" were held in each half.
Arsenal kicked off, playing away from their fans. Their captain Odegaard had a shot blocked by Romero inside the first minute by Romero. Nothing came of that corner, but when Saka took a second, Saliba headed just wide after Odegaard's initial weak effort went goalward.
Richarlison and Kudus countered for Spurs, but Raya held a cross by Pedro Porro. Havertz (whose place must be under threat from Gyokeres) hit a weak shot but had been offside in any case.
Odobert won Spurs' first corner after strong play in the middle (and a good pass) by Kudus. Pedro Porro took the corner from the left, and it beat a flailing Raya, hitting the back post. Richarlison's follow-up header was blocked. Spurs look a more organised team already with stalwart defence, and pressure on the opposition keeper at keeper at corners.
Spence was impressing at left back (Udogie hasn't travelled). Djed hit a good ball down the line to Odobert, who won another corner. This one was caught by Raya. Romero blocked Rice's effort and Pedro Porro blocked the corner taken from the left.
The referee was not giving too much Arsenal's way. He allowed play-on when Richarlison was fouled . Kudus had possession and fed Odobert, whose shot took a deflection and went out for a corner off the outside of the post. Once again Raya was beaten by the corner but somehow Richarlison failed to score at the back post when the ball rebounded off the frame.
Bentancur was shown a yellow card for a foul on Saka. Just before the break, Arsenal were upset again, wanting a foul when Richarlison won possession inside the centre circle. The ball ran to Sarr, who saw that Raya was off his line. Sarr hit a brilliant shot from fully 40 yards out and hit the net for a stupendous goal. Before the half-time whistle Sarr was required to defend twice at corners.
There were no changes at the start of the second half. Spurs kicked off and in an early attack Kudus fed Pedro Porro whose cross was cleared. Pedro Porro seemed to have been impeded. Sarr had won the ball in midfield to start this move.
There followed more strong possession and forward play from Spurs. They do still play out from the back, but their football seems more purposeful.
A shot by Odegaard was deflected out of play and after the corner, Romero was too extravagant when attempting to clear. Thankfully, Martinelli fired wide.
The first substitutions followed, after which Odobert won another corner, which was taken by Tel. That was cleared, but the ball came back to Tel who crossed for Van de Ven, but he headed wide.
Zubimendi was signed for big money from Real Sociedad, and he had a shot defended by Brennan Johnson conceding a corner. From the corner Vicario held Havertz's easy shot.
Arsenal were now pressurising and were desperate for an equaliser. Arsenal have a 15-year-old midfielder Max Dowman who was all the rage when Arsenal beat Newcastle 3-2 on Sunday. He impressed today as well, taking Saka's place. He had an early shot blocked and gave Spence a good test. Zubimendi had two more shots blocked.
6 minutes of added time were announced, at the start of which Dowman won a corner. Merino and Johnson were booked by the referee for their pulling and shoving at a corner. Pedro Porro fouled Nelson, but Odegaard's free kick was cleared. Spurs held their clean sheet despite an extra two minutes being added. It's always great to beat Arsenal!
There was a trophy presentation, after Sarr was presented with the man of the match award. Son could be seen rehearsing his trophy lift and did the honours to the delight of all those of a Spurs persuasion!
Spurs move on to South Korea and will play Newcastle on Sunday when I guess Son will start in front of his adoring home fans.
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