Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham: Gyokeres beaten on Gunners debut as Sarr stunner wins it for Spurs

Viktor Gyokeres made his Arsenal debut but was powerless to prevent his new side from slumping to a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in the first North London Derby to be played overseas.

Gyokeres, a £55million signing from Sporting CP and the man Gunners fans hope will score the goals to help them finally lift some silverware, was given the final 13 minutes in Hong Kong but made little impression as Spurs held on.

Thomas Frank’s side won it thanks to Pape Sarr’s stunning 40-yard effort on the stroke of half-time and it was no more than they deserved despite spending large parts of the game on the back foot.

Spurs carried the greater threat going forward and hit the woodwork three times in the first half before Sarr struck after capitalising on an error from Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Gunners goalkeeper David Raya came out of his goal to play a short pass to the England full-back but he was dispossessed by Sarr who casually chipped the ball 40 yards over Raya and into the empty net.

It proved enough in a feisty encounter that lost a little of its first-half edge due to the raft of substitutions as the game wore on.

Tottenham under the cosh in the early going

Arsenal flew out of the blocks with Martin Odegaard seeing a shot deflected wide inside the opening 40 seconds.

William Saliba then headed narrowly wide after Odegaard’s scuffed shot fell kindly for him in the box.

Spurs hadn’t got going at all but Frank’s men almost conjured up a goal from their first attack of note.

Pedro Porro’s corner drifted across the six-yard box and against the far post with Richarlison’s follow-up blocked.

Spurs were left to rue their bad luck twice more around the half-hour mark.

First Wilson Odobert’s shot from the edge of the box struck the upright and, from the resulting corner, Mohammed Kudus’ delivery came back off the post in a near carbon-copy of the earlier effort.

It seemed there would be no goals in an entertaining opening 45 minutes but Sarr made the most of his opportunity to hand Spurs a deserved lead.

Gyokeres introduced but Arsenal fail to make breakthrough

Arsenal bossed possession in the second half but struggled to create genuine chances of note.

Gabriel Martinelli shot over while Martin Zubimendi fired a deflected shot just over the bar.

Arteta turned to 15-year-old Max Dowman before Gyokeres and the youngster nearly provided an equaliser but his shot was blocked behind.

Gyokeres finally appeared to loud cheers from the Arsenal fans inside the Kai Tai Stadium but had little chance to impress.

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