Tottenham Hotspur edged past Arsenal with a narrow 1-0 win in a heated pre-season friendly on Thursday in Hong Kong, thanks to a moment of brilliance from Pape Matar Sarr.

The only goal of the match came after a costly error by David Raya, who played a loose ball into midfield. Myles Lewis-Skelly was quickly robbed of possession, allowing Sarr to take advantage. Noticing Raya off his line, the Senegalese midfielder lifted a sublime effort over the keeper to give Spurs the lead — and ultimately, the win.

It was a rare blip for Mikel Arteta’s side, who had previously looked sharp with victories over AC Milan and Newcastle United on their Asian tour. However, the Gunners struggled to find rhythm or cutting edge against a well-organized Tottenham side that showed more intent and composure.

Despite fielding a mix of youth and first-team talent, Arsenal’s buildup play lacked the intensity fans have come to expect — and the result reflects their first loss of the pre-season.

🗣️ Opinion: A Friendly Loss, But Lessons Learned

This result shouldn’t spark panic at the Emirates, but it should serve as a wake-up call. With the new season fast approaching, mistakes like Raya’s need to be ironed out, especially as competition for the No. 1 shirt heats up.

For Spurs, this win — even in pre-season — will feel sweet. Beating your North London rivals always counts for something, and the goal from Sarr will be a confidence-booster heading into the new campaign.

🔜 What’s Next?

Arsenal now shift focus to the Emirates Cup, where they’ll face Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal as final tune-ups before the Premier League kicks off.

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⚽ Who impressed you the most in this North London pre-season clash? Let’s talk football 👇