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A calm, more assured approach kept the Gunners quiet in Hong Kong

Sturdy: Cristian Romero kept Bukayo Saka quiet

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Matt Verri

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dan Kilpatrick

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The celebrations were somewhat more muted than those seen in Bilbao ten weeks earlier, but Tottenham fans could once again enjoy the sight of Heung-min Son lifting a trophy above his head.

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If watching his side beat Arsenal to win the Herbalgy Trophy ultimately goes down as one of the most successful days of Thomas Frank’s tenure then things will not have gone to plan, but this was an important foundation block to build on.

Spurs fans could have been forgiven for having some caution heading into the north London derby in Hong Kong.

Pre-season performances up to this point had been largely uneventful. There has also been justifiable frustration on the transfer front, with the club yet to add to the signing of Mohammed Kudus earlier in the summer.

However, with just under two weeks to go until the UEFA Super Cup showdown with PSG, Spurs produced a display to offer real encouragement as the new season looms.

Gameplan: Thomas Frank’s side stifled the GUnners

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Most notable in the 1-0 win over Arsenal was the defensive structure on show from Spurs. The Gunners mustered just one shot on target, a tame effort from Kai Havertz straight at Guglielmo Vicario.

The likes of Kudus and Wilson Odobert worked hard to track back and double up on the Arsenal wingers, while Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven both dealt superbly with any crosses into the box.

It can be easy to read too much into pre-season matches, but this felt like something of a blueprint for how Frank could set his side up this season, particularly against tougher opposition.

“Some of the bits we have been working hard on is the combination of defensive organisation,” Frank said after the match.

“So high pressure, middle, low, then that desire to keep a clean sheet. That gives you a bigger opportunity to win matches.”

Spurs’ best performances towards the end of last season, primarily in the Europa League, came when Ange Postecoglou abandoned his usual principles.

Winner: Spurs were rarely troubled after the opening 20 minutes

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They had barely 30 per cent of possession when beating Bodo/Glimt away from home to reach the final, and a similar approach had been used to get past Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals.

With fast attackers, hard-working midfielders, and two elite centre-backs in Romero and Van de Ven, Spurs have a squad capable of soaking up pressure and picking their moments on the counter. Midfielder Joao Palhinha should soon join on loan from Bayern Munich.

That threat on transition was not regularly evident against Arsenal, particularly in the second half, and the main danger came from set-pieces. Spurs twice almost scored directly from a corner in the first half.

Frank will want to see more of an impact from open play in the coming weeks and months and there will also be times where a more front-footed approach is required, certainly when Burnley visit north London on the first day of the Premier League season.

There was, though, a solidity to Spurs that was too often lacking last season. They sat back and soaked up pressure but this was not desperate, last-ditch defending.

Frank will be encouraged by the performance and can be expected to deploy a similar game plan against PSG for the Super Cup. A similar result and another trophy would send Spurs into the new season in a buoyant mood.

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Sport | Football

Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal learn Eze twist; Liverpool in Isak bid; Man Utd await Sesko decision

Premier League's biggest clubs pushing hard to complete big-money deals

Targets: Eberechi Eze, Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak

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Alex Young @ alexwsyoung

Transfer news LIVE!

The new Premier League season is just two weeks away and the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United are all working hard on completing deals before the big kick-off. The Gunners finally have their much-needed striker, and £64million man Viktor Gyokeres made his debut in Thursday's pre-season defeat to Tottenham. Next on the hitlist is Eberechi Eze, but the Crystal Palace star's £68m release clause expires today, so Arsenal have some work to do.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are working on a first formal offer for Alexander Isak, who is desperate to leave Newcastle. A second British-record-beating deal is in the offing, and this one could cost upwards of £135. Newcastle want Benjamin Sesko has his replacement, though Man United are doing all they can to snap up the RB Leipzig striker.

Chelsea are closing in on the double signing of Jorrel Hato and Xavi Simons, and retain an interest in Alejandro Garnacho. The spending does not stop. Tottenham are also closing on the signing of a new midfielder with Joao Palhinha open to joining on loan from Bayern Munich. Follow the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours live below!

Latest transfer news headlines

Chelsea's bomb squad

Enzo Maresca reportedly wants 15 players to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

Nico Schira reports that the Italian has compiled a list of names that he wants gone before the transfer window slams shut.

They are:

Christopher Nkunku

Axel Disasi

Benoît Badiashile

Lesley Ugochukwu

Ben Chilwell

Raheem Sterling

Alfie Gilchrist

Carney Chukwuemeka

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Nicolas Jackson

Marc Guiu

Renato Veiga

Aaron Anselmino

Armando Broja

David Datro Fofana

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Chelsea send Sarr on loan

New Chelsea arrival Mamadou Sarr has been shipped out on loan to sister club Strasbourg.

The centre-back joined the Blues from the French side this summer, but has immediately been loaned back to the Ligue 1 club.

How Arsenal defeat can be good for new signings

Arsenal were dealt a shock 1-0 defeat by Spurs in Hong Kong yesterday, where Viktor Gyokeres made his debut from the bench.

Noni Madueke will join his new team-mates on their return from Asia.

But how can the defeat be spun into a positive, and what opportunities does it present for their new arrivals?

Simon Collings has all the answers here...

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Isak ready to trigger 'nuclear option' to force Liverpool move

Alexander Isak is prepared to unilaterally terminate his contract with Newcastle in order to sign for Liverpool.

According to The Mirror, such is the Swede's deperation to leave St James' Park for Anfield, he is considering what has been described as a "nuclear" option to force the move.

Isak is currently training alone in Spain with a personal trainer to keep his fitness up for the Premier League champions.

Liverpool want to sign Isak but, as yet, no formal bid has been submitted.

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DONE DEAL

Sunderland have announced the signing of goalkeeper Robin Roefs from NEC Nijmegen.

The deal is reportedly worth around £11million, including add-ons.

Roefs is expected to be first-choice goalkeeper.

The 22-year-old becomes Sunderland's eighth summer signing following the arrivals of Reinildo Mandava, Chemsdine Talbi, Noah Sadiki, Enzo Le Fee, Habib Diarra, Simon Adingra and Granit Xhaka.

Palhinha set for Spurs medical today

More on Tottenham’s move for Joao Palhinha as the Bayern midfielder is set to undergo a medical today.

Dom Smith reports that Spurs have agreed a deal with the German giants to sign the midfielder on loan with an option to buy.

Palhinha, who had interest from elsewhere, made his intention to join Spurs clear once he heard of their interest in him.

Spurs will cover Palhinha’s full wages and have an option to make the move more permanent next season, reportedly for £26million (€30m).

Palhinha joined Bayern for an initial £43.2m fee last summer, representing a club-record player sale for Fulham.

Read more here!

London Standard

Moore on Rangers move

“I’m excited to get going. As soon as I heard Rangers were interested and wanted me to come, it was a massive opportunity for me.

“I’m excited to be here and hopefully I can show the fans and everyone what I can do.

“I think with the new boss and the way that we play, it’s a great place to be at the minute. It was a pretty easy decision for me to come here.”

DONE DEAL! Young Spurs star Moore joins Rangers on loan

Young Tottenham star Mikey Moore has joined Rangers on loan for the season.

Moore moves to Scotland with a big reputation, having become Spurs’ youngest ever Premier League debutant in May 2024.

He scored his first goal during last season’s run to Europa League glory.

Action Images via Reuters

Chelsea to miss out on Ardon Jashari

Chelsea have been monitoring Club Brugge's Ardon Jashari, but look set to miss out on the midfielder.

The Blues were reportedly weighing up making a move to sign the 23-year-old, with Bayer Leverkusen also interested.

But journalist Sacha Tavolieri reports that Jashari only has eyes for AC Milan, who are expected to seal his signature.

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Spurs move to hijack Kolo Muani move

Tottenham are looking to hijack Juventus' permanent move for Randal Kolo Muani.

Kolo Muani spent the second half of last season on loan at Juve from Paris Saint-Germain, having rejected advances from Spurs. and proved a success.

The striker scored five goals in his first three games and finished wtih a flurry at the Club World Cup, so Juve are keen to sign the player permanently.

However, Mediaset report that uncertainty over Dusan Vlahovic's future in Turin is delaying a deal getting over the line and Spurs sense an opportunity. PSG want €50million to sell, or with an obligation to buy on a loan deal.

Manchester United and Newcastle, who are battling for Sesko, are also monitoring the situation.

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Mohammed Kudus adds to excitement with impressive display as defensive structure is rewarded

Pape Sarr scored the winner as Spurs beat Arsenal 1-0 in Hong Kong

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Matt Verri

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dan Kilpatrick

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Pre-season or not, little lifts the mood at Tottenham like a win over Arsenal.

Thomas Frank described the Gunners as one of the best teams in the world at his pre-match press conference but Spurs got the better of them with a 1-0 win in Hong Kong.

Pape Matar Sarr scored the only goal, finishing superbly from just inside the Arsenal half to catch David Raya off his line.

From there it was an impressive defensive showing from Spurs, this a performance offering plenty to build on with the UEFA Super Cup against PSG less than two weeks away.

Here, Standard Sport looks at three things we learned from the match...

Spurs display new set-piece threat

Ange Postecoglou made no secret of his views on set-pieces during his time in the Spurs dugout.

"I'm just not interested in it," was Postecoglou's verdict. "I never have been."

Thomas Frank has made it clear he wants Spurs to have a better set-piece record

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Frank has a very different approach. Andreas Georgson has joined him at Spurs as a set-piece specialist and the work on the training pitch already appears to have had an impact.

Pedro Porro and Mohammed Kudus both almost scored direct from corners in the first half, their deliveries bouncing back off the woodwork. Richarlison should have scored the rebound on both occasions.

Micky van de Ven was used to pin David Raya and Spurs offered a real threat from every set-piece.

It was not quite so convincing defensively from corners, with William Saliba and Kai Havertz both close to scoring, but there were positive signs that Spurs can maximise set-pieces this season.

Kudus offers real excitement

There has been lots of talk about who Spurs have missed out on in the transfer window, after the pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White ended unsuccessfully.

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However, the arrival of Kudus from West Ham already appears to be £65million well-spent.

The winger has impressed in the opening pre-season matches of the summer and that continued with another bright showing here.

Mohammed Kudus caused Myles Lewis-Skelly real problems

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Kudus was strong on the ball, holding it up when necessary and causing Myles Lewis-Skelly real problems. His work-rate off the ball was also noticeable, charging back to stop one counter from Declan Rice and then doubling up in his own box on Gabriel Martinelli.

Spurs were far less dangerous when Kudus went off after an hour, as Brennan Johnson struggled to make an impact.

Frank has no shortage of wingers to choose from, but on current evidence it is clear who should be the first name on the team sheet in wide areas.

Defensive structure rewarded

Guglielmo Vicario kept only four Premier League clean sheets last season but he came away with one here, largely due to the efforts of those in front of him.

The Spurs goalkeeper had only one save to make in the match, keeping out a tame effort from Kai Havertz in the 70th minute.

There was no repeat of the high-line seen for much of Postecoglou’s tenure but Spurs still caught Arsenal offside three times in the opening 20 minutes, dealing well with a more direct approach from the Gunners.

Spurs produced an encouraging defensive display

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Bukayo Saka was doubled up on and crosses into the box were mopped up. One loose header from Cristian Romero did give Arsenal some rare space in attack, but Pedro Porro was there to bail his team-mate out.

It was not a display full of high pressing but when Spurs did push up they picked their moments successfully. Myles Lewis-Skelly was isolated on the halfway line, dispossessed and Sarr scored brilliantly.

Frank’s side dropped deeper in the second period, with periods where every player was behind the ball. There was little space for Arsenal and Spurs did not allow themselves to be caught on the counter.

Romero was replaced in the second half and Kevin Danso stepped in well, punching the air in delight at full-time to show this meant more to Spurs than a normal pre-season friendly.

The challenge will be adding more of a threat in attack to this structured, disciplined approach, but this was an encouraging platform on which to build.

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History is being made in Hong Kong this afternoon as Arsenal and Tottenham face off in the first north London derby to be held outside the UK. Based less than four miles between each other, the two rivals have travelled almost 6,000 miles to meet at the Kai Tak Sports Park today. This game will perhaps not have the bite of a usual derby, but both managers and squads will be keen to earn early bragging rights.

Arsenal’s new £64m striker, Viktor Gyokeres, hopes to make his debut, but starts on the bench. Both Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori remain sidelined for Mikel Arteta. Young star Max Dowman will hope to get minutes again, however, after starring off the bench against Newcastle. Spurs are again missing Dominic Solanke, in a concern ahead of the new season, and James Maddison is on the bench.

The Gunners are looking to make it four wins on the spin in pre-season, while Spurs were last seen limping to a 0-0 draw at Luton Town. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Arsenal reporter Simon Collings and Tottenham reporter Matt Verri.

Viktor Gyokeres is on the Arsenal bench for their pre-season friendly against Tottenham in Hong Kong.

The striker is among the substitutes in Hong Kong, having only started training with his new team-mates this week and following a disrupted summer while he future was sorted.

“He’s done all the medicals, everything is looking good, but to get him up to speed with the right levels of fitness, I think is very important,” said Mikel Arteta ahead of the game.

“So we’re not going to stop him, we want him with us as quick as possible, but we’ll have to assess, and the medical team will do that.”

Mikel Arteta has made five changes from last weekend’s win over Newcastle.

Riccardo Calafiori is missing after going off injured against Newcastle, while Gabriel, Jurrien Timber and Kepa Arrizabalaga are also absent.

“He said that he felt a little tweak, so I don’t know how big it is, but hopefully not,” Arteta said about Calafiori before the game.

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The 17-year-old did not travel with Tottenham for their pre-season tour to Hong Kong and South Korea, with it decided that Moore should stay in the UK to explore potential loan moves.

A number of Championship clubs are believed to have been keen on signing Moore but it is Rangers who are in pole position to win the race.

Reports suggest that the Scottish club are close to reaching an agreement to bring Moore to Ibrox on a season-long loan deal.

At a press conference in Hong Kong ahead of Spurs’ pre-season meeting with Arsenal on Thursday, Frank explained the club’s decision to let Moore go out on loan this season.

“I think for all players, but especially the younger players, they need to get that first-team consistent football into their bodies.

Brennan Johnson, Heung-min Son, Mathys Tel, Wilson Odobert, Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison are among the options available to Frank, who is keen to have different types of wingers to turn to.

“I think first and foremost it’s important that we have some depth in the squad,” Frank said.

“But also with Richarlison I see him more as a striker that also can play to the side. Sonny we know can play both positions. Mathys Tel also is a winger but also can play as a striker.

“You need different skillsets. The perfect player is difficult to find. You need players that can run in behind, you need players that can go one-on-one and players hopefully that can score goals. That’s a big part of it.

“As well you need players that can press. Some of them have the in behind skills, others very good ball carriers, others are very good pressing players. That’s what I look for.”