Football London

There's nothing more powerful a motivator for a footballer than being let go by a club as a child, and in that young Tottenham striker Will Lankshear shares a bond with Spurs' record goalscorer Harry Kane.

Like Kane, Lankshear kicked off his career within Arsenal's academy, alongside his older brother Alex, but the Gunners made the decision not to offer the forward a scholarship contract. That meant that before his 16th birthday Lankshear was having to face up to the fact that his Premier League dream was starting to fade already.

Fortunately, Sheffield United got wind that Arsenal were about to make their decision so offered the teenager a trial and, thanks to that burning desire to prove everyone wrong, Lankshear quickly impressed with his eye for goal and his work rate. He hit a hat-trick on his debut and never looked back, plundering goals left, right and centre for the Blades at youth level.

It wasn't long before Premier League clubs came sniffing around again with both Tottenham and Brentford leading the way. United were struggling financially and just a year on, selling on a youngster who hadn't even made the first team yet was a quick way to bring in some funds.

Thomas Frank's Bees had a bid accepted for Lankshear but it was Spurs who managed to get the deal over the line for a fee that could eventually rise to £2.5million. The north London club's previous big teenage transfer was Dele Alli seven years before.

A move to Tottenham was somewhat fitting with Lankshear's backstory because his family are split straight down the middle in terms of Spurs and Arsenal fans.

The parallels to Kane's early years are there and the England captain would go on to record 14 goal involvements in 21 match against Arsenal alone, fuelled by that motivation to prove the club who released him wrong.

Lankshear is no different and if the 20-year-old gets a chance to come on against the Gunners in Thursday's pre-season friendly in Hong Kong, the first north London derby to be played abroad, then he only wants one outcome.

"I really would like to score. I want to beat them. I was let go and it was a really difficult time for me at that stage of growing up," he admitted before adding: "But it was a blessing because it really matured me. I grew up fast. I think it was the best thing for me, but I would say that I was there for nine years and they did help me develop into the player I am now. But I would like nothing more than to score against them and beat them."

It's not an honesty borne out of hatred, it's one carved out of pain. Kane was always very clear about being extra-motivated to prove Arsenal wrong whenever he played them. For Lankshear it is no different and he is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Kane and other Spurs strikers of the past like Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe, who worked with him as an under-18s coach for a spell.

"I love Harry Kane and the way he plays. He scores so many goals and to do that at the highest level is pretty unreal. Defoe, I worked with him in the academy and I love him. He is one of the most under-rated forwards the Premier League has ever had. So sharp," said Lankshear.

"He taught me so many things. The quick finishing, no back-lift. He was amazing for me and he is a good guy as well. He really took care of the young lads. Gave good advice. I really like him. Robbie Keane and Berbatov were fantastic forwards.

"I try to get things from all of them but also implement myself. I want to be my own player. I think that’s important for young players. We want to be ourselves. Who knows, if you can implement the characteristics from all the other forwards you might be a good one yourself."

Lankshear was speaking at an event organised by family literacy charity Bring Me a Book Hong Kong alongside Brennan Johnson and Ben Davies. His place in the Spurs pecking order was clear as the older players teased him and pushed him forward to go first in a game of finger football with the children. Lankshear responded by immediately scoring his first penalty kick and flashing a grin back at the established first teamers.

That's just what he does. When Lankshear arrived from Sheffield United, he immediately brought what he does best to north London, scoring goals for the U18s before a knee issue needed to be sorted out towards the end of his first half season.

When he returned to the fold, he began to impress the first team coaching staff when called into training and got his chance the following pre-season under Ange Postecoglou, after knocking Alejo Veliz and Dane Scarlett down the pecking order with his performances in sessions at Hotspur Way. He then fully justified the decision to bring him on in friendlies ahead of both by scoring a couple of goals.

That would lead to his Premier League debut against Fulham after he had already opened his Europa League account for the club with a goal at Galatasaray, complete with a defiant celebration in front of the furious home fans, only to then get sent off later in the game to cap a memorable night in Istanbul, for every reason.

Spurs wanted to continue his development and a loan was arranged to West Brom, who led a line of clubs across the Championship and in Europe, including a number who wanted him permanently. Lankshear would make 11 appearances for the Baggies in that half a season and while he did not manage to score, he drew praise from the supporters for many of his battling displays.

"There were lots of positives and some negatives last season but I learned so much. The player I am now to the player I was last year and before all of that, I feel like i have come on so much. It’s all about learning at that age. I’ve learned lots, I have grown as a player and a person. I feel so much better now than I did last year," said the striker.

"[The loan] was massive for me and my development. Even though the goals didn’t come, I had some really good games. I learned loads. The managers, what they would like, different systems. I loved it. They really treated me well. I really enjoyed it."

When asked what he learned from his first season of senior football, apart from perhaps not celebrating in front of angry Galatasaray fans, Lankshear thought for a moment.

"People would say the red card but for me it would be broader. Getting to terms with men’s football. The rhythm. You have to learn to know how to play it," he said. "It’s a completely different game from academy football. The ball is being spun a bit more, it’s more physical, quicker, more intense.

"I had a taste in the Premier League where everything is really intense and everyone is so good. In the Championship, there are more aerial duels and it’s more physical. I had a taste of everything. That was my biggest lesson. Being able to adapt. Being good at football. Learning as a Premier League and a lower league player and putting it all together and trying to get better at everything."

Lankshear is currently in his second pre-season with Spurs and has already scored against Reading with a classic striker's reaction header in the opening match to impress new head coach Thomas Frank.

"It is always surreal. It is a massive honour to be here and to be chosen. I’m still learning and growing so all of this is amazing. It’s an experience of a lifetime," he said. "I worked hard in the off-season. I was really happy to come back in and get the opportunity to play. I scored [against Reading] which I haven’t done really recently so it was nice to get back in the goals."

Lankshear has been impressed with the new man at the helm as well as Frank's coaching staff. It is fitting that three years after Brentford tried to sign him from Sheffield United, the youngster is now playing for the manager he would have worked for there.

"Amazing," he said of the Dane. "I think he is a top class manager. He did so well for Brentford and I think he will be really good for us. Tactically he is amazing and I’m really excited to see what we can do this year and in the years to come."

The training sessions have been full of inspiration for a young player who coaches have always said is hungry to soak up every bit of information possible. If anyone has a drive to succeed, it is Lankshear and he is watching his senior team-mates very closely every day.

"I always watch. I look at Dom [Solanke] and his running, the goals he scores and how he gets in the right areas. Richy is a fox in the box, his movement in the box is top class. Sonny is world class as well," he said.

"I learn from all the experienced players. Son puts his arm around your shoulder if you need it. He really does help me and the other young lads with his experience of all those years in the Premier League. When he says something you listen. He was very helpful for me and the other boys.

"They are top class players who have been here and done it for a long time and played internationally so there is no one better to learn from. I do look at them in games and think what can I do to my game? How can I close that gap and get closer to them."

One new member of staff who Lankshear has been working closely with is individual player development coach Cameron Campbell. The Scot arrived from RB Leipzig in a role that both Frank and Spurs technical director Johan Lange pushed for and Lankshear is already reaping the benefits.

When Tottenham played an 11-vs-11 half-pitch training match in Hong Kong, Frank used Richarlison and Mathys Tel as the strikers which meant Lankshear and Yang Min-hyeok were able to get some quality time with Campbell at the other end of the large pitch and you could see the various drills he was putting them through to improve areas of their game.

"Cameron is top class. For me, it’s such a large group. Sometimes you will have to spend time by yourself if they can’t fit you in. It’s all about improving and I just want to get better," said Lankshear. "So when the chance comes and it will come, football changes all the time. At this given time, it’s about being ready and getting that opportunity.

"I got it against Reading. You score and then everything can change. If not, you just keep going. That’s what I’m doing with Cameron, getting better each day which is the main thing at this age."

So what is the biggest area of his game that Lankshear feels he needs to improve on?

"I probably don’t score enough with my head. I’m a tall lad I know. I don’t score enough headers so that’s also what I’m working on with Cameron," he said. "You probably saw me heading about 20 balls. Hopefully I can get some more headed goals and it will boost everything up."

Lankshear is indeed a big, bustling physical striker so surely throwing himself at the ball is second nature to him? His goal against Reading was a header after Luka Vuskovic's flick-on, so why doesn't he have more headed goals?

"I find myself getting in the right positions but it’s tough. Getting the right contact, timing is so important and that’s the main thing," he admitted. "Heading is actually really hard. It’s not just that. It’s so important to win your headers from goal kicks, from throw-ins, the little flick-ons, if you can do that it will boost your goals and playing style."

Watching Lankshear and Yang working with Campbell on the pitch at the Kai Tak Stadium was an interesting study of two players from completely different countries and cultures, both working towards the same goal of trying to improve enough to become Tottenham stars.

"Yang is similar to me, I think he is actually younger than me. So much learning to do but he is an exciting prospect," said Lankshear. "For me seeing how quick and agile he is. I was super impressed with him when he played for QPR in the Championship. He did ever so well and that can’t go unnoticed. He scored goals, he played well. We played against them and I thought he was very good. He is in the learning period and still has much to learn like me and the others. There is an exciting prospect there."

So what comes next for Lankshear? Does he want to remain under Frank's watchful eye or head out on loan again to get regular football to aid his development?

With the honesty that has run through this entire interview, the young striker grinned and said: "Who knows? Let’s see what this season brings. I sort of do as I’m told but I feel ready. I feel really fit and strong. I’ve scored in pre-season. Whatever I’m told I am ready to do."

He is a young player who is constantly learning, desperate to improve every aspect of his game, putting in the extra hours required to profit on the training pitches and it does all feel very similar to a Spurs youngster from years ago. If Will Lankshear can have even half the career Harry Kane has then he will have achieved plenty, but you get the sense that the young striker will not settle for that.

Thomas Frank will catch a glimpse of his first North London Derby as Tottenham Hotspur take on Arsenal in Hong Kong. The Europa League holders will step up their preparations for the forthcoming Premier League campaign against their fiercest rivals with the top-flight season just weeks away.

It'll be the Danish head coach's fourth pre-season friendly after back-to-back draws against Wycombe Wanderers and Luton Town. Following the encounter at the region's new Kai Tak Stadium, Spurs will remain in the Far East with another all-Premier League clash with Newcastle United in the Seoul World Cup Stadium on August 3.

Hong Kong will be treated to becoming the first place where a North London Derby has been held outside of the United Kingdom following the first meeting in the Football League in the 1920/1921 season.

August is around the corner which marks the latest milestone before the Premier League season gets underway but before then, Spurs have the prospect of preparing for the UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain.

With the two North London juggernauts meeting in the Far East on Thursday (12:30pm kick-off), here is the latest Spurs injury news.

Rodrigo Bentancur

Rodrigo Bentancur is set to return to action against Arsenal after missing the previous two pre-season friendlies through illness.

He travelled to the region with the squad and is in-line to step up his preparations on Thursday.

Frank revealed: "Rodri is back from illness, so that’s good."

Dominic Solanke

Dominic Solanke could mark his return to first-team action during Thursday's pre-season friendly after an ankle injury forced him to miss the draw against the Hatters.

The Spurs head coach failed to be drawn on whether the striker would be back in time to feature in front of a capacity crowd in Hong Kong.

"Dom is looking much better, progressing, we’ll see if it’s too early for Arsenal, but we’re positive about him," said Frank.

James Maddison

James Maddison continues his recovery from the knee injury that forced him to miss the remainder of last season.

The midfielder suffered the season-ending problem which has meant that his recovery has carried on into pre-season.

But Frank admitted that the England international is progressing well.

"Madders is looking better and better, could also be too early for Arsenal, again, we’ll see," he said.

Kota Takai

Summer signing Kota Takai could be out for a number of weeks after picking up a foot injury.

The Spurs boss revealed that the 20-year-old has suffered a plantar fascia injury and faces a layoff just weeks after arriving in the capital.

He said: " Kota got a plantar fascia injury, unfortunately we don’t know the scale of it – weeks."

Destiny Udogie

Destiny Udogie will miss the tour of the Far East after picking up a knee injury in the warm-up against Luton Town on Saturday.

There is no timeframe on a return for the full-back as the medical team at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium assess the severity.

Frank said: " Destiny got a knee injury (in the warm up at Luton on Saturday) that we’re assessing at the moment, that has kept him out of this pre-season tour."

Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski and Bryan Gil also remain on English soil, recovering from their respective injuries.

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has almost a fully fit squad to choose from today as he prepares his side to take on Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon.

The clash against Spurs inside Hong Kong's Kai Tak Sports Park represents the first time the North London Derby has played outside of the United Kingdom. Ahead of the match, captain Martin Odegaard expressed his delight at playing a pre-season fixture which has a little more edge to it.

However, Arteta will hope that the game is still played in the spirit in which it is intended with one eye on the impending Premier League opener against Manchester United. Ahead of the fixture against Thomas Frank's side, the Gunners will definitely be without two players in their squad.

Centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes will not be included again as he suffered a 'tweak' to an injury while out in Asia. This is despite him returning for a behind-closed-doors friendly against Watford prior to the tour.

A new absentee to add to the injury list is Gabriel's defensive teammate Riccardo Calafiori. The Italian played instead of the Brazilian against Newcastle but needed to be substituted early in the second-half.

Arteta told the media that the clash with Spurs would come a little too early for him. The big question heading into the game is whether Arsenal supporters will see new signing Viktor Gyokeres compete for the first time for the Gunners.

Addressing that, the Arsenal boss explained that the Swede will be assessed prior to the clash. "Yes, I understand he's only done today's session and yesterday very little," Arteta replied when asked if Gyokeres had a chance of playing against Tottenham.

"We're going to assess tonight how he is and if the medical staff are happy as well with his condition to participate in tomorrow's match then it's a possibility. We're going to discuss that tonight."

Mikel Arteta faces a big Viktor Gyokeres decision heading into Arsenal's final friendly of their pre-season tour of Asia. With two wins from two so far, the Gunners take on North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong before departing for London on Friday.

The game at Kai Tak Stadium is the first North London Derby to be played outside of the UK and it is set to be a historic evening for both clubs. All Arsenal fans will be hoping to see Gyokeres take to the pitch for the first time since completing his big-money move from Sporting CP.

The Swede has only had two training sessions with his new teammates so far and that leaves Arteta with a call to make over whether he starts him or eases him in off the bench. Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, the Arsenal boss said: "Yes, I understand he's only done today's session and yesterday very little.

"We're going to assess tonight how he is and if the medical staff are happy as well with his condition to participate in tomorrow's match then it's a possibility. We're going to discuss that tonight."

Two players Arsenal will have to do without are Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori due to injury. However, Jurrien Timber could possibly feature in the squad after working his way back to fitness.

Thomas Frank has a few decisions to make as he picks his first North London Derby starting XI as Tottenham take on Arsenal in Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium on Thursday.

It will be the first such derby outside of the UK and while the Gunners will be buoyed by their £200million-plus worth of new signings including striker Viktor Gyokeres, Spurs have only new recruit available in Mohammed Kudus, with Mathys Tel having also made his loan move from Bayern a permanent one and Frank is already facing injury problems just a few weeks into the job.

Destiny Udogie, Kota Takai and Manor Solomon have not travelled for the tour to Asia as they remain at Hotspur Way for treatment on injuries, alongside long-term absentees Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski and Bryan Gil. Academy products Mikey Moore, Alfie Devine and Dane Scarlett were all granted permission not to travel with the squad in order to explore potential opportunities for loan moves.

Dominic Solanke, who had a minor ankle injury which meant he missed out on the weekend's action at Luton, was not involved in Tuesday's open session in Hong Kong. Kevin Danso only did some individual work during the session, having come off alone on the hour mark on Saturday in the goalless draw at Luton, but Rodrigo Bentancur, who was ill at the weekend, has been back and involved in training.

James Maddison could be ready for his first minutes of the summer following his knee injury but would seem unlikely to start the game in Hong Kong. Lucas Bergvall played as a number 10 in the training session on Tuesday for one of the sides in a 11-vs-11 half-pitch match while Pape Matar Sarr played in the role in the friendly draw with Wycombe.

Frank also had to make a decision over Son Heung-min and whether the 33-year-old South Korean star starts against the Gunners as well as in his homeland in Seoul just three days later in the game against Newcastle. Son, who's future at the club remains uncertain, could potentially play 45 minutes in each match.

Here's the team we reckon Frank might go for depending on various players' fitness. Although it's a pre-season game, he will not want to rack up an early defeat to Tottenham's rivals in the opening stages of his tenure.

(4-2-3-1) Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Sarr, Bentancur; Kudus, Bergvall, Son; Richarlison.

Mathys Tel admits he is spending all the time he can learning from Son Heung-min and believes that it's time to write his own story at Tottenham.

Spurs spent £30million to sign the 20-year-old permanently from Bayern Munich after a loan spell in north London during the second half of last season. It was a tough introduction to Premier League life for Tel as he was thrown into the team during an injury crisis and had to lead the line up front in such a fast and physical competition despite having spent much of his young career as a winger.

He managed five goal involvements in 20 appearances in all competitions and put in some important displays in the knockout stages of Tottenham's Europa League-winning run.

Thomas Frank wanted to work with the France U21 international and gave the green light to a permanent move this summer from the Bavarian giants.

There was a scare though on Tuesday out in Hong Kong during an open training session in front of 10,000 Spurs fans at the Kai Tak Stadium. The Frenchman had embarked on a few surging runs during an 11-vs-11 training match and then while on one of those dribbles he picked up a sore looking knock, seemingly to his knee.

That injury drew real concern from the group as all of the players and staff gathered around the 20-year-old in a circle as he lay on the floor and it took some time before he got up, heavily limping.

Thankfully Tel appeared to run it off and later told football.london "I'm fine" when asked about the collision as he looked down at his leg.

Other than scaring everyone during training, the former Bayern man has been soaking up everything he can learn from a certain player during the sessions.

"I’m talking all the time with Sonny. He has more experience than me. I just want to learn and make sure that I become better every day. He helps me every day," he said. "Sonny is a legend. Everybody knows him. I’m very happy to work with him."

The Frenchman then explained just how excited he is to have made his permanent move to Tottenham.

"I’m very happy about it. It is a big club. It’s time to write this story at a club like this. I’m very happy to be here and try to have more success with the club," he said.

"It was a project [I had in mind when I first joined]. I just had six months here and my time was great. Those first six months with Tottenham helped me on and off the pitch. I appreciated my time so that’s why I wanted to stay and I’m very happy."

Tel arrived back later into the pre-season work under Frank this month, having been given time off after the European U21 Championships semi-finals with France alongside Spurs team-mate Wilson Odobert, while another Tottenham team-mate Archie Gray won the competition with England. On his return, Tel's conversations with his new head coach are yet to include whether he will play out on the left or through the middle under the Dane.

"I don’t talk about position. Just the main thing is collective, every player is important. We will see what happens. I just need to be ready and prepare myself to play," he said.

"This pre-season is about intensity, mentality and physicality too. This season we belong. We have a lot of big games, Champions League, Premier League and the cups. We need to be ready in the head and physically."

So what are Tel's personal and team ambitions this season?

"I just want a lot of goals and assists. If we can take every trophy," he said. "For me, Tottenham can win everything. Like I said, it’s a big club. Every competition we play in we will play with a lot of energy and we will prepare for the game."

Spurs return to the Champions League this season and the young Frenchman believes the club should be in the competition every season.

"I played two years ago [in the Champions League] and last year again. It’s a big competition. I think it’s the best competition in Europe and the world. When you play this competition, you need to be ready and make sure that you just go far in this competition," he said.

"We want to play every year in the Champions League. Like I said, we are a big club. We can play in this competition."

Tottenham Hotspur still have over three weeks to make changes to their squad for the start of the Premier League season, which begins on Saturday, August 16 at home to newly-promoted Burnley.

The biggest alteration of all came before pre-season began as Spurs opted to sack Ange Postecoglou and make their latest managerial change. Thomas Frank arrived in his place, famed for his ushering of Brentford from the Championship to top-flight security.

The new manager's first signings have been £55m attacker Mohammed Kudus from rivals West Ham United and Kota Takai, a £5m defensive prospect from Kawasaki Frontale.

Attacker Mathys Tel and defender Kevin Danso have also signed permanently following their winter 2024 loans from Bayern Munich and RC Lens respectively, as has 18-year-old defender Luka Vuskovic following a 2023 agreement made with Hajduk Split.

Frank would also have liked Morgan Gibbs-White - a star he has long admired - to join his ranks, except the attacking midfielder has now committed himself to Nottingham Forest by signing a new contract following a tense saga. This had been the only hint thus far towards an area of the team Frank is hoping to strengthen.

"That is something I would like to keep very private of course," the new manager answered a question about Spurs' intentions in the market on Tuesday. "We of course are out there in the market and we're aware where we maybe want to strengthen the squad in general.

"I'm happy with the squad and we've already done a top signing in Mohammed Kudus that is coming in and showing us his quality already. We've got a squad where there is a lot of talent in and quality but of course we're looking."

But Spurs need not let the failed attempt to sign Gibbs-White define their summer. Kudus' recent arrival the club means they have a plethora of attacking talent.

Admittedly, there is not as much pressure to make a signing in time for the opening day of the Premier League as perhaps first thought, and instead the club can focus on quality additions before the end of the summer window on September 1.

In football.london's dream line-up, Brennan Johnson and James Maddison join Kudus in forming a three-pronged support of singular striker Dominic Solanke as part of a 4-2-3-1 formation, which Frank has utilised in all his friendlies so far.

Maddison and Solanke will hopefully have the opportunity to build up fitness in the final summer match vs Bayern Munich plus the UEFA Super Cup showdown vs Paris Saint-Germain, as both have been out of the Asian tour through injury.

The money not immediately spent to sign an attacking midfielder could instead by placed into one of a more defensive mindset to compliment the box-to-box Archie Gray.

Palhinha, the Portuguese internationally formerly of Fulham and currently with Bayern Munich, is the latest to be linked with a move to Spurs in that role. In his brief Premier League stint he earned plenty of plaudits but in Germany has been judged critically.

At 30 years of age, many may feel Palhinha should only be signed for a certain level of finance, but if Spurs have learned any lessons from their rivals it is that a team can't function without a defensive midfielder. Ryan Gravenberch for Liverpool, Rodri for Manchester City and Moises Caicedo for Chelsea - three players who have elevated their respective clubs to silverware and top-four finishes.

Spurs are reportedly willing to pay a fee in the region of £45m according to journalist Sebastien Vidal. To end, football.london's dream opening day XI can add one more new arrival to truly operate at full strength.

Frank's side are reportedly weighing up a return to January target Marc Guehi as the Crystal Palace central defender now has less than 12 months on his current contract. On winter deadline day Spurs saw a £70m offer turned away.

The Eagles may have made it clear they do not wish to lose such an integral figure, however Guehi's contract us set to expire in 2026, as things stand at least, meaning there is the chance of a cut-price deal tempting them into selling in the upcoming weeks.

The England international would slot perfectly into a back four partnering captain Cristian Romero in the centre and with Pedro Porro and Micky van de Ven operating in wide positions. In net, Guglielmo Vicario keeps his place as Frank's first-choice.

Spurs Dream XI for Premier League opener vs Burnley

Guglielmo Vicario; Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Marc Guehi, Micky van de Ven; Archie Gray, Palhinha; Mohammed Kudus, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson; Dominic Solanke

Odegaard on playing a NLD in pre-season

I love it and I think we all do. We're all excited to play in front of so many supporters. We've really felt the love and connection here. It's a good thing we get a proper test and it means a little bit more in a derby.

Arteta on potential Gyokeres debut/injury news

He has only done today's session and yesterday very little. We're going to assess tonight how he is. If the medial staff are please with his conditions it is possible.

With the rest everybody is going to be ok apart from big Gabi who is still out and probably Riccy it's probably going to be a bit too early.

What we spotted in open training

Open training has just finished and it proved to be very popular indeed.

Fans were treated to a Viktor Gyokeres wonder goal and there was also a moment to forget for Bukayo Saka.

Click here for four things we spotted at the Kai Tak Stadium.

Arsenal vs Newcastle talking points

Arsenal triumphed in their last game after beating Newcastle United 3-2.

It was a game to remember for Max Dowman as he won the decisive penalty that Martin Odegaard converted in the closing minutes of the contest.

Click here for our talking points from the match.

Winners and losers from Singapore

Now that Arsenal have finished their time in Singapore, we have decided to take a look at the winners and losers from their games against AC Milan and Newcastle United.

Click here.

Dream Arsenal XI vs Tottenham

Viktor Gyokeres is the man of the moment right now following his move to Arsenal from Sporting CP.

The 27-year-old could potentially make his Arsenal debut in the North London Derby and he will be keen to mark it with a goal.

So what exactly would Mikel Arteta's dream XI be?

Click here.

Welcome

Hello and welcome to coverage of Mikel Arteta's Arsenal press conference ahead of Thursday's North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Gunners are now in Hong Kong for the final few days of their summer tour after spending just over a week in Singapore for their matches against AC Milan and Newcastle United.

Arteta will be quizzed in his pre-match press conference on Viktor Gyokeres and a potential debut for the Swede in tomorrow's game, injury news and so much more.

Stay tuned for updates.

Josh Keeley believes the Tottenham players have already shown they want to play for Thomas Frank this season and the goalkeeper has tipped Mason Melia to do "very, very well" when he arrives in January.

Keeley joined Luton Town this month after three years at Spurs having arrived as a youngster from St Patrick's Athletic back in 2022. The move to the Hatters came in a £1million deal with the north London club retaining a sell-on clause because they believe that the 22-year-old could yet reach a Premier League level.

However, the path for him at Tottenham was blocked by the trio of Guglielmo Vicario, Antonin Kinsky and academy product Brandon Austin, all with long-term contracts and Premier League experience. Keeley arrived just too late to become a club-trained homegrown player, which meant it was more difficult for him to be registered in the club's squads, particularly their European one.

So when it came to contract talks to remain at Spurs this year it was always the case that those conversations would reflect his position as fourth choice goalkeeper despite a Republic of Ireland international call-up and the potential shown during his loan at Leyton Orient especially, where he registered 16 clean sheets as the O's reached the League One play-offs and he drew praise from Pep Guardiola for his FA Cup performance against Manchester City.

When a contract could not be agreed, in swooped Luton ahead of a string of clubs and Keeley made the switch to a team that was only in the Premier League two years ago.

And of course who would his first match as a Luton player be against? Fate would bring Tottenham to Kenilworth Road last weekend for a pre-season friendly and Keeley was named man of the match in an otherwise forgettable goalless draw.

"It doesn’t happen very often! I knew when I joined that we had them a week later, but it was good. It was a good game. I got to see all the boys at the end which was good. It was kind of a quick turnaround for me during the week, so I didn’t get to say goodbye to everyone, but yeah I got to [after the game] and that was important.," said the goalkeeper.

"I think that is the life of the footballer. It is very unforgiving. At one point you could be at the bottom of the country and then in the next breath you’re in a different country. You just kind of have to accept these things and get yourself around that you could end up anywhere.

"Luckily with every loan I have been on I’ve actually been around London and obviously this one is a permanent move. I am still quite close to [Tottenham] and I have made a lot of friends at the club and still very close to the boys."

It is a strange situation that Keeley has far more match experience than 26-year-old Austin, but such are the quirks of being homegrown the Spurs academy product has been part of the fabric of the club for years, made his Premier League debut finally last season and has a long-term contract. Many believe that had Keeley arrived a year earlier and become homegrown within UEFA rules then he would likely have made his debut for the club rather than never playing a senior game.

So does the Irishman believe not being homegrown affected his Spurs career?

"Maybe a little bit, I think so, but these are things, obviously a lot of things go against you in football, this is one of them but things happen for a reason at the end of the day," he said. "I am very close with a lot of people at the club, so you never know [what the future holds].

Before his departure, Keeley got to see what life was like in the early weeks of the Frank era and he could see a squad wanting to do well for the Dane.

"I trained with the team for the whole two weeks when I was there and the boys look like they want to play for him," said the stopper. "It looks like a very exciting year and the foreseeable future for Thomas Frank and the rest of the squad. I wish them all the best of luck and I think they’ll do really well."

One thing Keeley will take away from his three years at Tottenham was the senior goalkeepers he worked with and learned from in the shape of Vicario and previously World Cup winner Hugo Lloris, who is now at LAFC in Major League Soccer, as well as former England international Fraser Forster.

"I mean there are little things you take from obviously Vicario, Hugo and Fraser as well, he is a very experienced goalie and Dean [Brill, former Spurs academy coach and now first team assistant goalkeeper coach] has played in the game an awful long time.

"Then there is Fabio [Otte, Spurs new goalkeeper coach] who has just come in, he is a top, top goalie coach and won many trophies at his previous clubs. You always take little bits from people and try to engrain them into myself to take on further in my career."

Despite Keeley's exit, the St Pat's connection to Tottenham will be restored in January when highly-rated young striker Mason Melia officially makes the move across to the north London club after his 18th birthday. Despite still being 17, Melia has played 81 times for the Irish side, scoring 17 times and registering six assists. He notched his first European goal and assist during a Europa League qualifying match at Lithuanian side Hegelmann this month.

Keeley is predicting big things for the teenager once he settles into life at the Premier League club.

"I mean he is a young lad, who has played a lot of senior games at the minute and he is playing constantly for St Pats. I think him coming over, signing for Spurs and getting to know all the boys is only going to help him progress," said the keeper. "He is going to do very, very well."

Keeley is hoping to do very, very well at Luton and it was the club's location and ambition that helped them grab his signature ahead of others this summer despite now being a League One side following their back-to-back relegations.

"I mean I’ve been around London quite a lot on my loan spells [at Barnet and Orient] and because I have got some family in London as well, I think it’s important to stay close and connected," he said. "I spoke with Dean Brill, he played here as well and he sold it to me. He told me it was a great club and the people here are very good people.

"I think the club has very high expectations. Being a Premier League club [before], we have got every aim of getting promoted to the Championship first and then after that we can worry about going up again. This season is important. It starts now, everyone is looking forward to it and hopefully we can push for promotion."

He added about the Hatters' Kenilworth Road home: "I have heard a lot of things over the last couple of years that it is a bit of a mad place to come! My mates always used to say to me, because a few of them support Premier League teams, they have Luton away next week and they’d all say they’re not looking forward to it, so it can definitely be a fortress. It can be a place where people will struggle to come and get points from, so hopefully we can make it that way.”

The prediction is that Keeley will eventually become a Premier League goalkeeper and that is why Spurs were insistent on that sell-on clause, even if there is no buy-back in the deal. For Keeley, the top flight is the aim after getting a taste of what life around it is like but never really taking a proper bite.

"I think being in the club for three years was amazing for me. Obviously I got a taste of being around the first team and what is is like to play in the Premier League," he said. "I used to train with the boys all week, so I know and I have got a gist of what it is like. Hopefully in the foreseeable I get myself back there."

Viktor Gyokeres is set to make his Arsenal bow in the North London Derby.

It will not be his competitive debut - if you can class any North London Derby as non-competitive - given it is a pre-season friendly but he is sure to get a big welcome.

Gyokeres is the striker Arsenal fans have been crying out for for some time, to solve their issues in front of goal and take them from perennial runners-up to Premier League champions.

The Swede will get a warm welcome from the Arsenal supporters in Hong Kong, having already received a huge ovation when introduced to the crowd in Singapore ahead of the game with Newcastle United on Sunday.

But if he is under any illusions as to what awaits in the Premier League, he is sure to get a taste of it against Spurs, not only given the rivalry between the two sides, but if a certain player comes up against him.

Gyokeres has only been training with his new teammates for a day so far, so it remains to be seen whether he starts to game at the Kai Tak Stadium or whether he comes on at half-time or in the second half of the contest.

Tottenham have so far been using different XIs in each half of matches as new head coach Thomas Frank takes a look at his players in action and a certain Spurs star is sure to give Gyokeres a different kind of welcome, should he be on the pitch at the same time.

Cristian Romero is known for his no-nonsense approach at centre-back. The World Cup winner is a physical defender, throwing himself into challenges and making sure his opponents know he is there.

He is not afraid of the dirty work, he will not stand on ceremony for anyone and will slide into challenges whether he knows he can get the ball or not. Gyokeres will know he is in a game should he come up against Romero on Thursday afternoon and will learn first-hand what life is going to be like in England.

If Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could get a glimpse of the Spurs teamsheet before they are due to be handed in, he might be well served to keep his new striker out of the firing line when Romero is on the pitch.

What is for certain is that Tottenham supporters will cheer from the rafters the first sliding tackle Romero makes on Gyokeres, whether he wins the ball or not.