In a historic pre-season friendly held in Hong Kong, Tottenham Hotspur secured a 1-0 victory over their North London rivals, Arsenal. The match, which served as a tune-up for both teams ahead of the new season, was decided by a spectacular long-range strike from Pape Matar Sarr. While a pre-season result should always be taken with a grain of salt, the game offered a glimpse into the tactical approaches of both sides and, for Arsenal fans, raised questions about Mikel Arteta's initial lineup choices.

The solitary goal came just before halftime, a moment of brilliance from Sarr who caught Arsenal's goalkeeper David Raya off his line with an audacious effort from near the halfway line. The strike was a highlight in a first half that saw Spurs twice hit the woodwork, showing a clear attacking threat despite Arsenal's greater share of possession.

For Arsenal, the match was a mixed bag. They dominated possession and created some chances, but struggled to break down a well-organized Tottenham defense. Their attack, featuring Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli, was largely stifled by a resolute Spurs backline. The Gunners' new signing, Viktor Gyökeres, made his debut late in the second half but had little impact on the game.

However, it was the initial team selection that will likely be a talking point for Arsenal supporters. Arteta opted to start with a midfield trio of Martin Ødegaard, Christian Nørgaard, and Declan Rice, a combination that felt slightly unbalanced and lacked the creative spark to unlock a compact Spurs side. While Rice and Nørgaard provide excellent defensive cover and work rate, the absence of a more dynamic and incisive midfielder seemed to hinder Arsenal's ability to transition from possession to meaningful attacking opportunities. The choice to start Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back, a young player against a potent Spurs attack, also seemed to be a risk that was, at times, exposed.

In contrast, Tottenham's lineup, under new manager Thomas Frank, seemed more cohesive. The attacking trio of Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert, and Richarlison provided a constant threat, and the midfield partnership of Rodrigo Bentancur and Sarr was both energetic and effective. Frank's tactical setup, which focused on a high press and quick transitions, seemed to suit his players and caused Arsenal problems throughout the match.

Ultimately, this was a friendly, and the result is not the most important thing. However, for Arsenal, the performance highlighted some potential issues with their midfield balance and their ability to break down a disciplined defensive block. The pressure will now be on Arteta to refine his lineups and find the right tactical formula as the new season looms. For Tottenham, the win is a morale booster and suggests that Thomas Frank's tenure could be an exciting one.