1. FT: Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
2. Image source, Getty Images
3. That’s your lot for today, folks!
4. All the talk pre-match was about Viktor Gyokeres and the prospect of the big-money striker making his Arsenal debut.
5. Well, we were made to wait to see him but he did get on for end of the game but he couldn’t prevent the Gunners falling to a narrow loss.
6. Thomas Frank’s Tottenham take the bragging right – such as they are in pre-season – thanks to Pape Sarr’s fine long range effort in the 45th minute.
7. We’ll be back very soon – the new season is just around the corner after all!
10. Image source, Getty Images
11. It’s three more games to play for Tottenham, including the Uefa Super Cup against Paris St-Germain, before the Premier League season begins.

• 19 July: Reading 0-2 Tottenham – Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading
• 26 July: Wycombe Wanderers 2-2 Tottenham – Hotspur Way, Enfield
• 26 July: Luton Town 0-0 Tottenham – Kenilworth Road, Luton
• Today: Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham – Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong
• 3 August, 12:00: v Newcastle – Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea
• 7 August, 17:30: v Bayern – Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
• 13 August, 20:00: v Paris St-Germain – Stadio Friuli, Udine, Italy (Uefa Super Cup)

1. All kick-off times are BST.
4. Image source, Getty Images
5. After a first loss of pre-season, Arsenal have got two more games left – both at the Emirates – before the season proper kicks off.

• 23 July: Arsenal 1-0 AC Milan – Singapore National Stadium, Singapore
• 27 July: Arsenal 3-2 Newcastle United – Singapore National Stadium, Singapore
• Today: Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham – Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong
• 6 August, 18:00: v Villarreal – Emirates Stadium, London
• 9 August, 17:00: v Athletic Club – Emirates Stadium, London

1. All kick-off times are BST.
3. FT: Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
4. Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice: “It’s been really, really special coming to Hong Kong. Thank you so much [to the fans] for your support. Even though we lost, we love you guys.
5. “It’s been an incredible trip, we’ve really felt the love and that’s pushed us on.
6. “We lost tonight but we have another game on Wednesday, it’s still pre-season and we’re going to push for big things this season.”
8. FT: Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
9. Image source, Getty Images
10. The teams line up at either end of the pitch with signs thanking the supporters in Hong Kong.
11. Tottenham’s players seem that much happier about it as you might expect given the result.
14. get involvedFT: Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
15. Ooo… do we get more silverware for this one?
17. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
18. There’s the full-time whistle.
19. Tottenham get the win thanks to Pape Sarr’s long-range strike late in the first half.
20. The white flags are still waving in the Spurs end, their fans can enjoy this one after a decent showing.
21. They created some chances first half and were resilient in the second – both will please Thomas Frank.
22. Arsenal weren’t quite at it after the first 10 minutes. Mikel Arteta will want to see much better in the games to come but this was just a ‘friendly’ after all.
25. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
26. Currently leading our north London rivals. This is how champions of Europe roll. COYS…
28. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
29. Nearly 95 minutes played and Arsenal have a free-kick in a good position on the left.
30. Martin Odegaard is over it, the centre-back are up… but Spurs scramble it away and break.
31. Son Heung-min puts a decent ball in from the left but Arsenal have men back to clear.
33. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
34. Halfway through the six added minutes and Arsenal are still searching for an equaliser.
35. Tottenham are holding firm and their fans are waving their white flags – in celebration rather than surrender, I should think.
38. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
39. Arsenal fan here. Good window so far but Eze would make it a great window. We need to be ready for Liverpool, especially if they get Isak.
41. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
42. Image source, Getty Images
43. We’re into six minutes of added time.
44. Feels excessive for a pre-season friendly but then again, I have been saying it’s not really been played like a friendly – at least in that first half.
45. It has all got very bitty the longer the game has gone on. So many subs is always likely to cause that.
47. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
48. Into the final minute of the 90 and Arsenal have a corner.
49. If it ends level, there will be a penalty shootout…
51. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
52. Give him a chance, Paul, he’s not been on five minutes!
55. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
56. Now we’ll see why it was only the Gunners that wanted Gyokeres. He couldn’t do it in the Championship, and won’t do it against Prem opposition.
58. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
59. Image source, Getty Images
60. Viktor Gyokeres gets a touch for the first time and holds the ball up well on the edge of the area.
61. He lays it off for Martin Zubimendi but the Spain midfielder scuffs the shot wide.
63. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
64. James Maddison is coming on for Tottenham with a little over five minutes of the 90 remaining.
65. Meanwhile, it’s bad news for Arsenal as Leandro Trossard, who only came on about 15 minutes ago has to go off injured. Reiss Nelson replaces him.
67. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
68. Image source, Getty Images
69. Arsenal winger Max Dowman is only 15 but he is seen as a massive talent.
70. Tottenham clearly think so, they’re already doubling up on the teenager, but that doesn’t stop him getting a dangerous cross in from the right.
71. It is dealt with – just about – but it’s all Arsenal and has been for the past 10-15 minutes.
74. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
75. Arsenal have had a good transfer window but I think if we sign Eze that will make it a great window. We need to offload a couple of players first though so I doubt we will see anymore incomings before the start of the season.
76. Summer has been a disaster for Spurs. Only one senior player in, in the position that needed strengthening least. Fallen further behind our rivals…
78. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
79. Image source, Getty Images
80. Arsenal continue to press for an equaliser and the ball falls to Max Dowman after another corner.
81. His first-time shot is on target but it’s blocked behind.
82. As an aside, Son Heung-min was among the Tottenham players brought on in that clutch of subs after the cooling break.

Page 2

1. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
2. Alex Howell
3. BBC football news reporter in Hong Kong
4. A huge cheer as Viktor Gyokeres is seen getting ready to come on.
6. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
7. Image source, Getty Images
8. The players have just had a cooling break and it looks like there will be a number of changes now.
9. Defender Cristhian Mosquera, recently signed from Valencia is coming on for Arsenal, as is Max Downman.
10. But that’s not who you want to hear about… Viktor Gyokeres is on for his first Arsenal appearance!
13. Image source, Getty Images
14. Lots of talk about Arsenal’s new signings today but here is what Tottenham have been up to in the transfer market this summer…
15. Transfers in:

• Mohammed Kudus – from West Ham – £55m
• Mathys Tel – from Bayern Munich -£29.8m (plus £4.3m in add-ons)
• Kaving Danso – from Lens – £20.9m
• Luka Vuskovic – from Hajduk Split – £9.5m (deal agreed in 2023)
• Kota Takai – from Lawasaki Frontale – £5m

1. Transfers out:

• Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – to Marseille – £16.8m (including add-ons)
• Josh Kelley – to Luton Town – £1m
• Fraser Forster – Released
• Sergio Reguilon – Released
• Alfie Whiteman – Released

1. Loaned out: Damola Ajayi – to Donacaster, Alfie Dorrington – to Aberdeen, Alejo Veliz – to Roasrio Central
4. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
5. Quite excited to see what Madueke can offer on the left hand side, Martinelli making it look hard work out there
7. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
8. Into the final 20 minutes, Viktor Gyokeres remains on the bench, but Arsenal have upped it following those two subs.
9. This is the sort of intensity they showed in the first 10 minutes, they’re really pushing for an equaliser.
11. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
12. Matthew Hobbs
13. BBC Sport
14. Image source, Getty Images
15. Arsenal’s decision to spend an initial £54.8m on Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres was underpinned by struggles in front of goal over the last two seasons – particularly after hybrid forward Kai Havertz was ruled out for nearly all of the second half of the campaign through injury.
16. Arsenal’s underlying attacking numbers show why more goal threat is needed and why they have signed only the third striker of Mikel Arteta’s tenure, after Havertz and Gabriel Jesus – and arguably the first genuine number nine.
17. The Gunners scored 22 fewer goals in the 2024-25 Premier League in comparison to the previous season, while their tallies of shots and expected goals also dropped dramatically – a combination that could be linked to a lack of movement, presence and precision upfront.
18. The trend of scoring fewer goals, particularly from open play, extends to the 2022-23 campaign. The Gunners netted 70 times from open play that season. This figure then dropped to 59 in 2023-24 and then 50 in 2024-25.
19. Does the signing of Gyokeres mean that Arsenal’s threat from open play will increase once more, or will Mikel Arteta’s side still be reliant on their set-piece threat? Thumbs up for yes, thumbs down for no.
20. Image source, BBC Sport
21. Image caption,
22. Arsenal’s misfiring attack
25. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
26. Image source, Getty Images
27. Arsenal need more attacking force right now, get Gyokeres on!
29. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
30. Arsenal are bringing on a new signing… but it’s not Viktor Gyokeres.
31. Martin Zubimendi is on, as is Leandro Trossard.
32. The former is straight into the attack and his dipping effort from the edge of the box takes a nick and goes just over the bar.
34. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
35. Chance!
36. Lovely bit of play by Mathys Tel on the left. He gets to the bye-line and hangs a cross up to the far post.
37. Mickey van de Ven is still up there following a corner and gets his head on it… but puts it just wide.
38. Very decent opportunity.
41. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
42. Spurs look much better defensively since Frank’s entry. This is what they were missing last season.
44. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
45. Alex Howell
46. BBC football news reporter in Hong Kong
47. Image source, Getty Images
48. The attendance is 49,975 for the first north London derby outside the UK. We’re told it’s a new record for stadium.
50. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
51. First changes of the day and there are three of them from Spurs boss Thomas Frank.
52. Kevin Danso, Mathys Tel and Brennan Johnson are on for Cristian Romero, Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison.
55. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
56. Time to get Mr Gyokeres on Arteta! I think my sons Isaac and Joey who are dressed up as gunnersaurus for the match, will go on a rampage if he isn’t on the pitch soon!
57. We love to see Gyokeres train. Hopefully he will have a big impact on the game.
59. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
60. An hour gone and still no substitutions.
61. The wait for Arsenal fans to see their shiny new £55m (rising to £64m) striker goes on…
64. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
65. Things are different with a fully fit squad, look what Ange achieved at the start of his first season. Far too early for me to judge
67. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
68. Image source, Getty Images
69. Decent chance for Arsenal.
70. The ball comes to Gabriel Martinelli inside the box, he gets it out of his feet but shoots over with his left foot.
71. As good an opportunity as the Gunners have had.
73. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
74. After a scrappy few minutes, Arsenal find a bit of quality with an attack down the right.
75. Spurs just about see it off before Cristian Romero tries to do a bit too much inside his own box and is tackled.
76. In his defence, there looked to be a foul in there but it wasn’t given and Martin Odegaard’s effort is deflected over the bar.
79. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
80. Great finish by Sarr, but that goal doesn’t stand if there’s VAR. Blatant trip by Richarlison on MLS, and it’s a clear and obvious error by the referee.
82. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
83. Jordan Butler
84. BBC Sport
85. Image source, Getty Images
86. One of Thomas Frank’s most reliable performers last season at Brentford was his elegant playmaker Mikkel Damsgaard.
87. The 25-year-old was largely deployed as a number 10 in Frank’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation and contributed 10 assists in 34 top-flight starts.
88. But the Dane’s work-rate also caught the eye and he won possession 35 times in the final third last term, so can anybody replicate Damsgaard’s output for Frank in this Tottenham team?
89. The obvious choice is James Maddison, who possesses the necessary creativity and passing ability – he scored nine goals and provided seven assists for Spurs in the league in 20024-25. However, he ran an average of 10.7km per game, which is the lowest of any of Tottenham’s recognised midfielders.
90. Dejan Kulusevski was used centrally by Ange Postecoglou and is one of the side’s most imaginative and industrious midfielders. The Sweden international chipped in with seven goals and four assists and covered an average of 12.4km per 90 minutes – only compatriot Lucas Bergvall ran further in a Spurs shirt last season.
91. Another option is Mohammed Kudus, who played alongside Damsgaard at FC Nordsjaelland in 2019-20. The Ghana international mostly featured on the right at West Ham but has repeatedly said his preferred position is through the middle. He is a superb dribbler but created an average of just one chance per game from open play in 2024-25.
92. 
94. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
95. Image source, Getty Images
96. Spurs have begun this second half well with Mohammed Kudus heavily involved down the right.
97. No chances of note since the interval.

Page 3

2. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
3. Frank has really transformed the play in such a short period of time. The shape of the team now gives confidence and the defence is now where they should be which was one of Spurs’ biggest issues last year. Frank can play in multiple ways – he is superb.
5. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
6. Alex Howell
7. BBC football news reporter in Hong Kong
8. Image source, Getty Images
9. The fans in the stadium are making a huge noise when Viktor Gyokeres is pictured or his name is read out in the stadium.
10. His shirt sales have broken club records for the amount that have been sold after a signing arrives at the club.
12. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
13. The teams are back out for the second half. Can Arsenal turn this one around to maintain their 100% record in pre-season?
14. Still no sign of Viktor Gyokeres yet. It looks like no changes for either side – and away we go again…
17. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
18. Spurs doing an Arsenal to Arsenal currently! Defensively resilient and a threat on set pieces.
21. Image source, Getty Images
22. Arsenal have won both of their previous pre-season games this summer. They played both games in Singapore with two more to come back in London before the season gets underway in mid August.

• 23 July: Arsenal 1-0 AC Milan – Singapore National Stadium, Singapore
• 27 July: Arsenal 3-2 Newcastle United – Singapore National Stadium, Singapore
• Today: v Tottenham – Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong
• 6 August, 18:00: v Villarreal – Emirates Stadium, London
• 9 August, 17:00: v Athletic Club – Emirates Stadium, London

1. All kick-off times are BST.
4. Image source, Getty Images
5. Tottenham have played three pre-season games, with one win and two draws.
6. They have three more games to play after this one before the Premier League season begins.

• 19 July: Reading 0-2 Tottenham – Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading
• 26 July: Wycombe Wanderers 2-2 Tottenham – Hotspur Way, Enfield
• 26 July: Luton Town 0-0 – Kenilworth Road, Luton
• Today: v Arsenal – Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong
• 3 August, 12:00: v Newcastle – Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea
• 7 August, 17:30: v Bayern – Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
• 13 August, 20:00: v Paris St-Germain – Stadio Friuli, Udine, Italy (Uefa Super Cup)

1. All kick-off times are BST.
4. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
5. Arteta pacing up and down the technical area, are you sure? He very rarely stays in it! Maybe he’s on his best behaviour as it’s pre-season…
7. HT: Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
8. Image source, Getty Images
9. That certainly seemed to be the case and one of the few times David Raya didn’t go long…
11. HT: Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
12. Alex Howell
13. BBC football news reporter in Hong Kong
14. Arsenal seem to be playing a more direct style of play.
15. Just visually, there looks to be a lot of passes in behind the Tottenham defence and David Raya is kicking it long quite a lot too.
17. HT: Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
18. Fair play, Dan. Not a bad shout at all.
19. I’d argue Wilson Odobert was Spurs’ standout player for much of that half but no doubt it’s Pape Sarr that everyone will be talking about now!
22. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
23. RE myself at 12:37: Did Sarr read my earlier comment?
25. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
26. Image source, Getty Images
27. Pressure from Arsenal late in the half as they win a succession of corners.
28. Nothing comes from them, though, and Tottenham lead at the break courtesy of Pape Sarr’s long-range strike.
30. Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
31. Alex Howell
32. BBC football news reporter in Hong Kong
33. Image source, Getty Images
34. Arsenal think it should be a foul on Lewis-Skelly in the build up to the goal. It is an excellent finish from Sarr though.
35. He lobs Raya perfectly from near the halfway line.
37. Pape Sarr (45 mins)
38. Image source, Getty Images
39. What a goal! Pape Sarr has scored from the centre circle!
40. David Raya is a long way out of his goal, plays a short pass to Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has drifted in-field, and the youngster is dispossessed.
41. Great tackle and then a brilliant finish from Sarr, who chips a stranded Raya from 40 yards or more!
43. Arsenal v Tottenham (12:30 BST)
44. Tom McCoy
45. BBC Sport journalist
46. Tomorrow marks five years to the day since Arsenal won their only major trophy under Mikel Arteta, beating Chelsea in the Covid-delayed 2020 FA Cup final.
47. The Gunners have spent heavily this summer in order to end that drought, investing £191m on six new signings. That includes an initial £54.8m for striker Viktor Gyokeres, £48.5m on winger Noni Madueke and £60m for midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
48. It is the second biggest transfer outlay in the club’s history, behind only the 2023-24 campaign, when Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber arrived for a combined sum of £196m.
49. During Arteta’s entire tenure, Arsenal have spent a total of £869m, excluding add-ons, bringing in 36 players. The team have undoubtedly improved, finishing as Premier League runners-up in each of the previous three seasons and reaching the Champions League semi-finals last term. However, winning additional silverware has proved elusive.
50. Will this summer’s business, especially the recruitment of Gyokeres, prove the final piece in the puzzle?
51. 
54. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
55. RE Stuart 13:05: Good indicator to see if Arsenal will go trophyless again this year, I think it will take a massive effort for them to win one.
57. Arsenal 0-0 Tottenham
58. Image source, Getty Images
59. Into the last five minutes of the first half. It’s still goalless but there has been no shortage of needle.
60. You wouldn’t want it any other way in a derby, would you?
61. Actually that needle seems to have spilled over into the ‘Get Involved’ comments…
64. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
65. I’ve been supporting Arsenal since I was eight years old and I am now 51 and I can honestly say this is the best transfer window we have ever had.
68. Image source, Getty Images
69. Just the one new signing in action for Arsenal in the first half but who has come in and who has left so far this summer? Here’s all you need to know…
70. Transfers in:

• Martin Zubimendi – from Real Sociedad – £60m
• Victor Gyokeres – from Sporting – £54.8m (plus £9.7m in add-ons)
• Noni Madueke – from Chelsea – £48.5m (plus £3.5m in add-ons)
• Cristian Mosquera – from Valencia – £13m (plus undisclosed add-ons)
• Christian Norgaard – from Brentford – £10m (plus £5m in add-ons)
• Kepa Arrizabalaga – from Chelsea – £5m

1. Transfers out:

• Nuno Tavares – to Lazio – £4.3m
• Marquinhos – to Cruzeiro – £2.5m
• Jorginho – to Flamengo – Free
• Kieran Tierney – to Celtic – Free
• Thomas Partey – released
• Takehiro Tomiyasu – contract terminated

2. Arsenal 0-0 Tottenham
3. Image source, Getty Images
4. Yeah, this isn’t a friendly, is it?
5. Rodrigo Bentancur looks for a bit of payback on Bukayo Saka and cynically brings down the Arsenal winger.
6. The first yellow card of the game. You really have to earn them in a pre-season match as well…

Page 4

2. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
3. Good indicator to see whether Spurs will just miss relegation again. I think it will take a massive effort for them to stay up this year.
5. Arsenal 0-0 Tottenham
6. Image source, Getty Images
7. With Rodrigo Bentancur down after being caught by Bukayo Saka, the referee decides now is a good time for a cooling break.
8. After a very strong start from Arsenal, it’s Tottenham who have come closest – hitting the post three times already, twice direct from corners.
10. Arsenal 0-0 Tottenham
11. Alex Howell
12. BBC football news reporter in Hong Kong
13. There is a lot of debate about whether rivals should play each other in pre-season.
14. This game definitely has more intensity than your usual pre-season match so it’s definitely giving the players a test.
16. Arsenal 0-0 Tottenham
17. Tottenham hit the post again! Twice!
18. After Mohammed Kudus’ shot is blocked, the ball comes to Wilson Odobert – who has looked good so far – on the edge of the box.
19. He works half a yard and tries to guide the ball into the bottom corner and hits the post.
20. It must have taken a deflection because Spurs have a corner, Kudus takes this one – and for the second time in the match, the ball misses everyone and bounces back off the far post!
21. Richarlison was trying to get on the end of it and when it comes back off the post, it hits his arm and somehow loops over the bar.
24. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
25. I don’t like the idea of ‘friendly’ matches between rivals. There is always going to be a desire to win, and injuries are a possibility when players should only be getting minutes in their legs.
28. Alex Howell
29. BBC football news reporter in Hong Kong
30. Mikel Arteta is showing his usual intensity on the touchline. He is appealing animatedly for a throw in and he is pacing inside his technical area.
32. Arsenal 0-0 Tottenham
33. Image source, Getty Images
34. Concern for Arsenal with Myles Lewis-Skelly down injured.
35. The physio is on and the issue seems to be with the top of his shin which would suggest an impact injury.
36. Seems to be and the 18-year-old is OK to continue.
39. Image source, Getty Images
40. The north London derby is usually held at Emirates Stadium or the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. But this one is being played at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong.
41. It started being built in 2019 and was opened in March 2025.
42. The capacity is 50,000 and the game has the possibility of breaking the attendance record of 49,704, set by Liverpool and Milan on 26 July.
44. Arsenal 0-0 Tottenham
45. Image source, Getty Images
46. The fans haven’t let Mikel Arteta down yet, they seem in great voice.
47. Arsenal have not been shy of going long in the first 20 minutes.
48. With Tottenham pushing up, David Raya has looked to bypass his defenders and midfield to find the Gunners’ front three.
49. It has worked pretty well when they’ve managed to keep themselves onside.
52. Arsenal
53. Image source, Getty Images
54. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking about of today’s game: “It’s a great idea. I think to bring football tradition, a rivalry, but at the same time to do it in a completely different country, I think it’s brilliant.
55. “I think it’s an opportunity for everybody to feel that and for us as well, because for our preparation, [it] increases the competition level again and it brings a different challenge to the game.
56. “We’re going to be so lucky to play in this incredible stadium with 50,000 people that I’m sure they’re going to be super loud and passionate.”
58. Arsenal 0-0 Tottenham
59. Image source, Getty Images
60. There have certainly been some heftier challenges than you’d usually expect in a pre-season ‘friendly’, Tom…
63. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
64. Image source, Getty Images
65. Never seen the north London derby described as a ‘friendly’ before!
68. Alex Howell
69. BBC football news reporter in Hong Kong
70. The pitch seems to be cutting up quite a lot after 10 minutes. You can see bit of the surface built up on the pitch already.
72. Arsenal 0-0 Tottenham
73. First Tottenham corner and so nearly a goal.
74. Pedro Porro’s delivery goes all the way through and hits the far post and Richarlison’s follow-up is blocked.
75. David Raya claims he was fouled by Mickey van de Ven but nothing was given. That would’ve counted.
78. Alex Howell
79. BBC football news reporter in Hong Kong
80. A new set-piece routine from Arsenal. Five players lined up along the edge of the penalty area.
81. Arsenal are know for their creative corner kicks and have set-piece coach Nicolas Jover.
82. Image source, BBC Sport
84. Arsenal 0-0 Tottenham
85. Kai Havertz wants a penalty after going down under challenge in the box.
86. The referee waves it away and the offside flag is up in any case. Gabriel Martinelli was beyond the last man from David Raya’s long ball over the top.
87. Spurs haven’t got going at all yet.
90. get involvedClick ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this page to have your say
91. Pre-season so far hasn’t been great but why would it be? Soon we will be playing Frank-ball and I can see a good cup run coming this season. Expect a draw today as both teams are still getting minutes into the players.
92. Spurs fan here. So excited about Frank and the team, the young talent we have, the oodles of potential… but also nervous about Arsenal. They’ve made smart signings. This is going to be a massive test. My under the radar, standout performer prediction goes to Pape Matar Sarr. Watch this space.
94. Arsenal 0-0 Tottenham
95. Image source, Getty Images
96. It’s been all Arsenal in the early stages.
97. They’ve kept kept Tottenham pegged back inside their final third and have won a couple of corners.
98. Good delivery from Bukayo Saka from the second of them, it’s only half cleared.
99. Martin Odegaard scuffs his shot from the edge of the box but it bounces kindly for Gabriel Saliba, who nods the ball narrowly wide.
101. Arsenal 0-0 Tottenham
102. Image source, Getty Images
103. After a countdown on the big screen, Arsenal get things under way in Hong Kong.
104. It’s your traditional knock the ball back then lump it long.
105. It nearly works as Martin Odegaard quickly has a shot from the edge of the box that is deflected wide.
107. Arsenal v Tottenham (12:30 BST)
108. Tottenham Hotspur
109. Image source, Getty Images
110. Tottenham manager Thomas Frank, speaking ahead of his first north London derby: “I think it’s a great challenge even besides being our biggest rivals and the first North London derby outside the UK.
111. “It’s also right now [against] one of the best teams I must say unfortunately in the world. We need to be honest.
112. “In that way it’s going to be a big test. But it’s more than a test, as against Arsenal it’s not only a friendly. Of course, it’s a game we will do everything we can to win.”

Page 5

Arsenal v Tottenham (12:30 BST)

BBC football news reporter in Hong Kong

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal fans are going to have to wait a little bit longer to see their new signing in action. Viktor Gyokeres is on the bench. Mikel Arteta names a strong side with new signing Christian Norgaard starting in midfield.

Fellow summer signing Martin Zubimendi will join Gyokeres among the substitutes.

Arsenal starting XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Rice, Odegaard, Martinelli, Saka, Havertz

Subs: Setford, Rojas-Fedorushenko, Mosquera, Gyokeres, Zinchenko, Trossard, Nwaneri, Merino, Nelson, Lokonga, Zubimendi, Copley, Kabia, Nichols, Harriman-Annous, Salmon.

Thomas Frank names a strong team for his first north London derby as Spurs boss, with seven of the team having started May’s Europa League final victory.

Son Heung-min is on the bench as speculation surrounding his future continues.

Tottenham starting XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence, Bentancur, Sarr, Bergvall, Odobert, Kudus, Richarlison.

Subs: Kinsku, Austin, Danso, Son, Bissouma, Tel, Gray, Min-Hyeok, Johnson, Davies, Donley, Abbott, Vuskovic.