Viktor Gyokeres made his Arsenal debut however was powerless to forestall his new aspect from slumping to a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham within the first North London Derby to be performed abroad.
Gyokeres, a £55million signing from Sporting CP and the person Gunners followers hope will rating the targets to assist them lastly raise some silverware, was given the ultimate 13 minutes in Hong Kong however made little impression as Spurs held on.
Thomas Frank’s aspect gained it due to Pape Sarr’s gorgeous 40-yard effort on the stroke of half-time and it was not more than they deserved regardless of spending giant elements of the sport on the again foot.
Spurs carried the larger menace going ahead and hit the woodwork 3 times within the first half earlier than Sarr struck after capitalising on an error from Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Gunners goalkeeper David Raya got here out of his purpose to play a brief go to the England full-back however he was dispossessed by Sarr who casually chipped the ball 40 yards over Raya and into the empty internet.
It proved sufficient in a feisty encounter that misplaced somewhat of its first-half edge because of the raft of substitutions as the sport wore on.
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Tottenham beneath the cosh within the early going
Arsenal flew out of the blocks with Martin Odegaard seeing a shot deflected huge contained in the opening 40 seconds.
William Saliba then headed narrowly huge after Odegaard’s scuffed shot fell kindly for him within the field.
Spurs hadn’t bought going in any respect however Frank’s males nearly conjured up a purpose from their first assault of observe.
Pedro Porro’s nook drifted throughout the six-yard field and towards the far put up with Richarlison’s follow-up blocked.
Spurs have been left to rue their dangerous luck twice extra across the half-hour mark.
First Wilson Odobert’s shot from the sting of the field struck the upright and, from the ensuing nook, Mohammed Kudus’ supply got here again off the put up in a close to carbon-copy of the sooner effort.
It appeared there can be no targets in an entertaining opening 45 minutes however Sarr made probably the most of his alternative at hand Spurs a deserved lead.
Gyokeres launched however Arsenal fail to make breakthrough
Arsenal bossed possession within the second half however struggled to create real probabilities of observe.
Gabriel Martinelli shot over whereas Martin Zubimendi fired a deflected shot simply over the bar.
Arteta turned to 15-year-old Max Dowman earlier than Gyokeres and the teen almost supplied an equaliser however his shot was blocked behind.
Gyokeres lastly appeared to loud cheers from the Arsenal followers contained in the Kai Tai Stadium however had little probability to impress.
