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Pape Sarr scored from near the halfway line to give Tottenham Hotspur a 1-0 lead against Arsenal in the first overseas north London derby.
Mikel Arteta's men made the stronger start in Hong Kong but it is their neighbours who threatened in the first half with Pedro Porro and Wilson Odobert hitting the post.
Then, it was a brilliant strike from Sarr to open the scoring, spotting David Raya off his goal line and lifting it over him from a long, long way out.
New star Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres was introduced in the 77th minute for his unofficial debut.
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Viktor Gyokeres, as told by his team-mates and coaches
86’ Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
That is a decent effort from Zubimendi, who drags a shot just wide at his second attempt. Gyokeres was involved in that move with some nice footwork under pressure to set Zubimendi, who had one shot blocked before getting the rebound away cleanly but off target.
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84’ Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
James Maddison and Archie Gray are coming on for Spurs in place of Sarr and Bentancur.
Meanwhile, Reiss Nelson is on for Trossard. He looked to be struggling with a knock.
78’ Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Well, things are about to look very different for both sides with a swathe of changes.
On for Arsenal are Viktor Gyokeres, Cristhian Mosquera, Mikel Merino, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Max Dowman. The men being replaced are Norgaard, Martinelli, Saka, Kiwior and Lewis-Skelly.
On for Spurs are Son Heung-min, Yves Bissouma and Ben Davies for Odobert, Bergvall and Van de Ven
74’ Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Saka is down receiving some treatment and so the referee takes advantage of the break in play to have a cooling break.
Gyokeres has been called across to join the team huddle before we resume play…
Viktor Gyokeres is now warming up…
68’ Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal are building some momentum here as Havertz turns inside and out to find an opening for a shot.
That lacks enough power or placement, though, and it is an easy take for Vicario.
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67’ Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
The first two changes made by Arteta have seen Martin Zubimendi and Leandro Trossard replace Martinelli and Norgaard.
No sign of Gyokeres just yet…
66’ Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
That is a decent chance for Spurs, as Spence enjoys a one-on-one battle against Odegaard — which he wins by standing up a cross for Van de Ven.
The Dutchman rises above his marker for an unchallenged header at the back post but it goes wide.
62’ Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Here we are then, the first tactical tweak of the match as Frank brings on some fresh legs.
On come Kevin Danso, Mathys Tel and Brennan Johnson and off go Romero, Kudus and Richarlison.
58’ Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
That is some lovely link-up play from Havertz, who latches on to a pass from Lewis-Skelly and knocks the ball into the path of Martinelli. The Brazilian gets a shot away but it goes over the crossbar.
A nice move to show some intent from Arsenal.
55’ Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Mikel Arteta has sent a batch of Arsenal subs down the touchline to warm up and not long ago, Spurs did the same.
Fresh legs might help Arsenal's pursuit of an equaliser.
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51’ Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham have started the half brightly, with plenty of the ball in Arsenal's half.
A second goal early on in this second half would leave their rivals with a lot to do to get back into the match.
45’ Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
And we are back underway!
HT Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
Ahead of today’s game Sebastian Stafford-Bloor and Jay Harris revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are in talks with Bayern Munich over a loan move for midfielder Joao Palhinha.
Palhinha’s addition would address an area of Tottenham’s squad which has been a problem for the last few seasons. Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma have shared the holding midfield role but neither of them are a perfect fit. They have both entered the final 12 months of their contract and their long-term future is uncertain.
A number of clubs have been on the lookout for No 6 midfielders this summer and the position is in vogue right now and valued — literally — like never before. And, intriguingly, No 8s — the goalscoring and traditionally more creative midfielders who tended to command the biggest fees in the past — are moving for about half as much.
But why are No 6s in such high demand and when did the position become so valuable in the modern game? Our very own Stuart James answered such questions in the piece below.
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Caicedo, Rice, Lavia… the fees for deep-lying midfielders are huge – this is why
HT Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
Arsenal started the better of the two teams in that first half, but Spurs grew into the contest and were good value for their lead. Something that these stats don't convey is that Frank's side hit the post three times before taking the lead.
HT Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
The reason why Arsenal were desperate to sign a big-name striker this summer was as clear as ever in the first half.
Havertz remains a man incapable of leading the line for a club of this size and offered very little in the first 45 minutes in Hong Kong. To frustrate Arteta even more, the German was typically forceful in his tackling and gave away a string of fouls.
Gyokeres hasn't spent much time with his new team-mates yet, but I would be shocked if we don't see him in the second half.
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The increased tempo is good for those of us watching, but both managers will be very wary of their players over-exerting themselves. The pitch at Kai Tak Stadium is doing them no favours either — it looks pretty terrible, to be honest.
There was the early panic for Arteta over Lewis-Skelly's knock before Frank looked on as Bentancur received treatment from the physios.
I suspect it won't be long before the two managers go to their benches.
HT Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
Pre-season friendlies, particularly those played in July, are often left to feel like glorified training sessions, but not this one.
A full stadium of passionate fans and the added edge of these two teams being huge rivals has resulted in a pretty entertaining spectacle so far.
It hasn't quite been played at the pace you would expect when these two meet in the Premier League this season, but it is a good foundation for both teams.
HT Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
Pape Sarr is certainly enjoying himself in pre-season — he has scored three of Tottenham's five goals! And that was, by far, the pick of the bunch.
Brilliant vision to catch Raya off his line and even better execution to embarrass the Spaniard and give Spurs the lead.
If Sarr can carry anywhere near this goalscoring touch into the Premier League season, that will be a real asset to Thomas Frank.
Arsenal vs Tottenham live updates: Viktor Gyokeres on for debut after Sarr's halfway line goal – The New York Times
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