Viktor Gyokeres made his Arsenal debut however was powerless to stop 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 elevate some silverware, was given the ultimate 13 minutes in Hong Kong however made little impression as Spurs held on.
Thomas Frank’s aspect received 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 massive components of the sport on the again foot.
Spurs carried the better risk going ahead and hit the woodwork thrice 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 objective to play a brief cross 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 a bit of its first-half edge because of the raft of substitutions as the sport wore on.
Tottenham underneath the cosh within the early going
Arsenal flew out of the blocks with Martin Odegaard seeing a shot deflected extensive contained in the opening 40 seconds.
William Saliba then headed narrowly extensive after Odegaard’s scuffed shot fell kindly for him within the field.
Spurs hadn’t received going in any respect however Frank’s males virtually conjured up a objective from their first assault of word.
Pedro Porro’s nook drifted throughout the six-yard field and in opposition to the far submit with Richarlison’s follow-up blocked.
Spurs had 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 submit in a close to carbon-copy of the sooner effort.
It appeared there could be no targets in an entertaining opening 45 minutes however Sarr made probably the most of his alternative handy 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 word.
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 likelihood to impress.