Viktor Gyokeres watched on from the bench as Arsenal trailed Tottenham at half-time within the first North London Derby to be staged on overseas soil – Pape Sarr scoring a surprise aim simply earlier than the break.
Arsenal had already ridden their luck earlier than Sarr opened the scoring after seizing on an error from Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Gunners goalkeeper David Raya got here out of his aim to play a brief move to the England full-back however he was dispossessed by Sarr who casually chipped the ball 40 yards over Raya and into the empty web.
It was not more than Spurs deserved after they hit the woodwork thrice in a feisty encounter in Hong Kong.
Arsenal begin strongly
Arsenal flew out of the blocks with Martin Odegaard seeing a shot deflected large contained in the opening 40 seconds.
William Saliba then headed narrowly large after Odegaard’s scuffed shot fell kindly for him within the field.
Spurs hadn’t received going in any respect however Thomas Frank’s males virtually conjured up a aim from their first assault of notice.
Pedro Porro’s nook drifted throughout the six-yard field and in opposition to 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 could be no objectives in an entertaining opening 45 minutes however Sarr made probably the most of his alternative handy Spurs a deserved lead.
Arteta should now determine whether or not to show to new signing Gyokeres as Arsenal search a route again into the sport.