Tottenham Hotspur secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Arsenal in a preseason friendly match played in Hong Kong on Thursday, with Pape Matar Sarr scoring the decisive goal.
The only goal of the match came in the first half following a costly error from Arsenal's defense. Gunners goalkeeper David Raya attempted a risky pass into midfield where Myles Lewis-Skelly was quickly dispossessed. Sarr, spotting Raya off his line, executed a perfectly weighted chip over the stranded goalkeeper to find the net.
This defeat marks Arsenal's first loss in their preseason campaign, having previously impressed with victories over AC Milan and Newcastle United during their Asian tour. Mikel Arteta's side appeared to lack the fluency and sharpness displayed in those earlier fixtures.
The North London rivals faced off in front of an enthusiastic Hong Kong crowd, with Tottenham's organized defensive display ultimately proving the difference in this edition of the derby.
Arsenal will continue their preparations for the upcoming Premier League season with the Emirates Cup, where they are scheduled to face Spanish sides Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal. These matches will provide further opportunities for Arteta to fine-tune his squad ahead of the competitive season.
The result will give Tottenham confidence as they continue their own preseason preparations under manager Ange Postecoglou, with both North London clubs aiming to challenge for honors in the upcoming campaign.
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