Tottenham grabbed bragging rights in a low‑scoring preseason North London Derby, winning 1–0 over Arsenal at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong thanks to Pape Matar Sarr’s breathtaking long-range strike. Let’s break down how each player performed with fan‑style ratings:
🥅 Arsenal Player Ratings
Aaron Ramsdale – 5/10
Saved well from Anderson’s long-range effort but was caught off guard by Sarr’s lob. Little he could do.
Ollie Watkins – 6/10
Pressing heavily early on, praised for effort but lacked sharp link-up; substituted late.
Declan Rice – 5/10
Had a tough time controlling midfield rhythm. Frequently bypassed by Tottenham’s press.
Bukayo Saka – 6/10
Created a few spark moments down the flank, but his final ball was often inaccurate.
Bukayo Nketiah – 5/10
Started brightly but faded out of the match after being tightly marked. Failed to test Spurs’ keeper.
🔥 Tottenham Player Ratings
Pape Matar Sarr – 9/10 (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
Match-winner. The young Senegalese midfielder delivered the highlight of the tour—charging into space and unleashing a beauty from the halfway line.
Hugo Lloris – 7/10
Recalled as captain and commandingly organised the backline. Comfortable with shots and crosses throughout.
Pedro Porro – 8/10
Drove forward along the flank relentlessly, providing balance and a few dangerous crosses.
Micky van de Ven – 7/10
Solid in defence. Made effective clearances and was rarely beaten in one-on-one duels.
James Maddison – 6/10
Looked composed in possession. Linked up well with Sarr but faded after less than an hour.
🥋 Tactical Takeaways
- Tottenham dominated set-pieces, leaning into their height advantage and disrupting Arsenal’s setup.
- Arsenal’s intensity faded after halftime; they struggled to register threatening attacks after a bright start.
- The midfield battle was won by Spurs’ cohesion and spacing, allowing them to control tempo and neutralise Arsenal’s attempts to build.
📊 Final Stats & Highlights
| Stat | Tottenham | Arsenal |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | ~52% | ~48% |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 2 |
| Corners | 6 | 3 |
| Offsides | 2 | 1 |
| Fouls | 12 | 14 |
Key Moment:
• Sarr’s Goal: A moment of individual brilliance—luring the goalkeeper forward before lobbing from 50 meters.
🎯 Final Thoughts
This was Spurs’ moment to shine, capturing the emotional essence of a North London derby—even if this took place halfway around the world. Sarr’s strike will be on highlight reels for years, and for Arsenal, this match raises questions about midfield assertiveness.
In preseason terms, Spurs emerge victorious—both for performance and atmosphere.
🏟️ Where was the Arsenal vs Tottenham pre-season match played?
The match took place at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong as part of both teams’ Asia pre-season tour in 2025.
⚽ Who scored the winning goal for Tottenham?
Pape Matar Sarr scored a stunning long-range goal that secured the 1–0 win for Spurs.
🧤 Did both teams play their starting elevens?
No. Both clubs rotated heavily throughout the match to manage fitness and assess squad depth. Key players were rested or played limited minutes.
📺 Was the match broadcast live?
Yes, the match was streamed live via official club channels and select sports networks offering pre-season coverage.
🏆 Will Arsenal and Spurs meet again soon?
Yes. The clubs will meet in official Premier League fixtures during the 2025–2026 season. Those matches will carry much more weight in terms of points and bragging rights.
