Arsenal will close their Asian tour in Asian Asia on Thursday with a High-Stakes preseason against local rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong.
This historical encounter marks the very first Northern London Derby that is organized outside the United Kingdom, making a dramatic end of the Gunners’ Far East campaign before they return to London for friendly matches against Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao in the Emirates Stadium.
The competition also represents a milestone for Spurs -Baas Thomas Frank, who will manage his first derby in North Londs. Despite the rivalry, Frank is eager for the challenge. Speak with the BBCHe said:
“I think it’s a big challenge, not just our biggest rivals and the first North London derby outside the UK.
It’s now too [against] One of the best teams, unfortunately I have to say in the world. We must be honest.
That way it will be a big test. But it’s more than a test; Against Arsenal it is not just a friendly one. Of course it is a game; We will do everything we can to win. ‘
Arsenal arrives in Hong Kong outside the back of an encouraging preseason, with a 100% win record in the control time. A 1-0 triumph over AC Milan saw Bukayo Saka’s mis-hit strike separate the sides early in the second half. While they shot in the penalty shootout after the game, the new goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga impressed three saves, although Lorenzo Torriani van Milan stole the spotlight.
The game also offered fans their first chance to see summer signs Kepa, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard in Arsenal Colors. In the meantime, the promising 15-year-olds Max Dowman and Marli Salmon made their senior debut, with Dowman in particular on the right with fans Arsenal cards Waxing lyrical about the toe rig.
That victory followed a closed-door victory over Watford and a 3-2 success against Premier League Rivals Newcastle United. In the latter case, goals from Mikel Merino and his own goal of Alex Murphy – both assisted by Kai Havertz – have an early Anthony Elanga strike. Jacob Murphy brought Newcastle level in the second half, but Martin Ødegaard sealed the victory from the place.
This reads the pre -season record of Arsenal in Singapore now six games played, five victories and one trek in the past decade – a sign of the strong mutual affection between the Gunners and their fan base in the region.
On the other hand, the second outing of Tottenham in the preseason was closed in a stalemate against Luton Town. Earlier that day, another line-up from Spurs-De Heung-Min Son, Cristian Romero, Richarlison, Lucas Bergvall and Pedro Porro Petters was in a 2-2 draw with Wycombe Wanderers in their Hotspur Way Training Complex.
The men of Thomas Frank were inspired by an unlikely brace from Pape Matar Sarr, but those who were against the hatters could not think. New arrival Mohammed Kudus went close to a first half strike that was hacked off the line, while Will Lankshear wasted an excellent chance to get the victory.
With both games against the third creditworthiness that ended without a victory, Frank ensured that he spread for minutes over his team in preparations for the upcoming campaign. Spurs now goes to Asia for Sterner tests, with meetings against Arsenal and Newcastle United on the Horizon.
Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur Friendly Match Details
- Date: Thursday, July 31, 2025
- Location: Hong Kong
- Location: Kai Tak Stadium
- Kick -off time: 12.30 pm BST
- Tickets: You can buy Arsenal and Tottenham cards For the game on seatnet.com.
Match statistics and head-to-head
• Arsenal has won both pre -season matches in the control time.
• The Gunners will enter this competition in an undefeated series of results in their last five games in all competitions.
• Tottenham suffered back-to-back defeats for the Gunners, their North London opponents, last season in the Premier League.
• Spurs have admitted at least two goals in five of their last six games against Arsenal in all competitions.
• Thursday’s collision at the Kai Tak Sports Park Stadium is the very first North London derby that is played outside England.
• Arsenal is unbeaten in their last six collisions with Tottenham, a run that started after their 3-0 loss in May 2022. Since then, the Gunners have demanded five victories during that piece.
Team news
Viktor Gyökeres could appear in an Arsenal shirt for the first time when they are on Thursday with Tottenham with Tottenham.
The Swedish attacker closed his switch last weekend after a long round of conversations.
He has traveled with the Gunners for their Asia for the season tour and is currently undergoing evaluations of the club’s medical department.
So far, Gyökeres has not participated in a summer training because he had been in strike at the sporty before he sealed his move to North Londs.
“He has completed all medical procedures; everything seems positive, but he physically conditioned to the correct standard is crucial,” said Mikel Arteta.
“So we’re not going to stop him; we want him to be integrated as quickly as possible, but we have to judge him, and that is up to the medical department.”
Arteta also hopes that Gabriel and Jurrien Timber will be ready to return after both were absent during Sunday’s victory over Newcastle United.
The duo recovered steadily after earlier operations this year, and the manager remains hopeful that they can perform in the collision with Spurs.
Riccardo Calafiori, however, remains a concern after being replaced by Newcastle because of what seemed to be a knee problem.
The Italian defender seemed to be correct, but Arteta is optimistic that the problem is not serious.
“He said he felt a light tweak, so I’m not sure of the extent, but fingers crossed,” added the Arsenal boss.
Until now in the preseason, Arteta has regularly played his team, although he could opt for a more senior line -up in the meeting in North Londs.
Nevertheless, Academy Talent Max Dowman will gladly earn more minutes after he has impressed the bank against Newcastle.
Tottenham can be stimulated by the potential return of James Maddison and Dominic Solanke for their coming season -meeting with Arsenal in Hong Kong.
Maddison has to perform in friendly matches this summer after a considerable knee problem that last maintained last campaign, but he is now in full team training and can get some playing time against Arsenal.
Given the likely careful approach to his comeback, a replacement appearance seems more likely than a starting berth.
Solanke was in the line -up during the victory over reading earlier in the month, but was the most recent competition because of a light ankle care, which was said to have been precautions.
Mohammed Kudus is one of the striking artists of Spurs during the pre -season and can be used more centrally. With Maddison who still gets the full match sharpness, Kulusevski sidelined and Mikey Moore is not part of the traveling team, Frank stands for a shortage of traditional game makers.
There are no such problems on the flanks, where Mathys Tel, Heung-Min Son, Wilson Odobert and Brennan Johnson all compete for starting positions.
Destiny Udogie, Kota Takai and Manor Solomon stay outside due to injuries, while Moore, Alfie Devine and Dane Scarlett stayed back to explore possible loan movements.
Predicted starting setup
Arsenal predicted starting line -up:
Ray, White, Salba, Kiwire, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Zubimiide, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Tottenham predicted starting line -up:
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Bergvall; Johnson, Kudus, son; Solanke
Prediction
Thomas Frank will be confronted with Arsenal for the first time since arriving as the head coach of Tottenham, and although this competition is classified as a pre -season -friendly, both fan bases will demand an energetic performance.
The former Brentford manager will strive to make a statement early and can try to impose his authority on a rivalry that has recently been tilted in favor of Arsenal.
Spurs has not defeated their Northern London opponents since a non-competitive victory in August 2021, and with the Gunners who enjoy the upper hand in recent meetings, Frank has extra stimulans to get to the top of the men of Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal, however, has been quite in the preseason so far and look fitter, faster and very solid. Their games have exhibited fluidity in attack and coherence in midfield, with a new signature Martin Zubimendi who pulls the strings, while the back line looks so solid as always, although they have not allowed 19 shots against Newcastle, with six of those on goal.
They are expected to dominate this game, and Frank will have to find out how they can hurt them in the transition, a characteristic he was known for during his time at Brentford.
We predict a 2-2 draw.
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