Arsenal 0-1 Spurs: Gunners Lose Despite Gyökeres Debut

Defeat for Arsenal in the first-ever international North London Derby. A long-ranged lob from Pape Matar Sarr the only difference in Hong Kong.

It was a disappointing performance from the Gunners, especially in the 1st half. There were more positive signs in the 2nd half, but the Gunners still found difficulty unlocking a low block.

We did get to see the much-anticipated debut of Viktor Gyökeres. Unfortunately, he didn’t get much of a chance to impact the game in his short cameo. Christian Mosquera also made his debut.

As It Happened

It was a disappointing first half from Arsenal as they never quite found their groove. Spurs are evidently a better side than under Ange, but with the gulf in experience and talent, the lack of control the Gunners had on the first half was concerning.

Spurs hit the post three times in the first forty-five minutes. Twice directly from corners, where Richarlison messed up the follow-up on both occasions. Odobert also struck the post with a low shot across goal.

Arsenal found some openings going long from David Raya, but never put the play together to create a meaningful chance.

Just before half-time, Spurs took the lead. Lewis-Skelly was dispossessed on the halfway line, and arguably fouled in doing so. Sarr then put it over Raya from range with the Spaniard way out of his goal.

It was a much stronger 2nd half from Arsenal, especially after the introduction of Martin Zubimendi. The Spaniard helped the Gunners assert more control and pressure over their North London rivals. However, Arteta’s side still struggled to challenge Vicario due to the deep block set up by Thomas Frank.

The long-awaited new striker, Viktor Gyökeres, made his debut coming off the bench in the 77th minute. He struggled to impact the game due to Tottenham’s low block. Mosquera also made his debut and looked solid. However, there was another promising appearance from Max Dowman, who came on at the same time as the Swede.

There will be understandable concern coming out of this game that Arteta’s side were stifled by a low block yet again. Furthermore, a lack of change in the Gunners’ patterns of play and the habits of certain players. So while there are still new players to come in and impact things, this game was a frustratingly familiar watch.

Arsenal will now return to North London for two more friendlies. Villareal on Wednesday 6th August, and the Emirates Cup against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday 9th August.

Lineups

Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Nørgaard, Ødegaard, Rice, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Subs: Setford, Rojas, Mosquera, Salmon, Zinchenko, Nichols, Sambi Lokonga, Merino, Zubimendi, Nwaneri, Dowman, Copley, Kabia, Nelson, Trossard, Gyökeres, Harriman-Annous

Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Spence, Sarr, Bentancur, Kudus, Bergvall, Odobert, Richarlison
Subs: Austin, Kinsky, Abbott, Bissouma, Danso, Davies, Donley, Gray, Johnson, Maddison, Son, Tel, Vuskovic, Yang