Three things we learned from Arsenal defeat to Tottenham as Mikel Arteta tests new tactic | OneFootball

A few concerns for Mikel Arteta as Gunners lose against Spurs

Arsenal lost 1-0 to Spurs in Hong Kong

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Arsenal were beaten for the first time in pre-season as they lost 1-0 to rivals Tottenham.

Pape Matar Sarr scored the only goal as Spurs triumphed in the first-ever north London derby staged overseas.

In a disjointed game, Arsenal struggled to find their rhythm and failed to muster a shot on target during the first half.

The Gunners improved after the break and enjoyed spells of pressure but were unable to find a breakthrough.

Here, Standard Sport looks at three talking points from Arsenal’s final game of their pre-season tour to Asia…

Arsenal test a new style

Pre-season is often about experimentation and that certainly felt like the case for Arsenal in this game.

Mikel Arteta named a familiar side, with Christian Norgaard the only new signing in the XI, but there was a change in style.

Arsenal repeatedly looked to go long against Tottenham, especially in the first half.

David Raya was direct when playing out from the back

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Goalkeeper David Raya was direct when playing out from the back, often attempting to find Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli with balls over the top of Spurs’ defence.

It represented a shift from Arsenal’s usual possession-based approach that they used for much of last season.

Indeed, in the first half against Spurs, the Gunners had 49 per cent possession - which is low by their standards.

Arteta has often spoken about his side needing to be “unpredictable” and a shift to this approach at times during the upcoming season would certainly represent that.

Shaky set-pieces

Tottenham will argue that they could, and perhaps should, have won by more against Arsenal.

Thomas Frank’s side hit the woodwork three times across the course of the match and, especially in the first half, looked the most threatening.

Two of the times that they struck the post was in the first half and on both occasions it was from a set-piece.

Arsenal looked shaky on set-pieces towards the end of last season without Gabriel in the side - and it was a similar story on Thursday.

The Brazilian, who was absent because he is still recovering from hamstring surgery in April, is a big miss, in particular when defending corners.

Tottenham twice had corners that went right the way across Arsenal’s six-yard box before hitting the post.

Raya is usually so commanding when coming for crosses, but he had a rare off-day as the Gunners fell to defeat.

Gyokeres make his Arsenal bow

The biggest cheer from the Arsenal fans came when they got their first glimpse of Viktor Gyokeres.

The supporters in Hong Kong were made to wait for a first look at the Sweden striker, who came on with less than 15 minutes to go.

Viktor Gyokeres made his Arsenal debut as a late substitute

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsenal are being careful with Gyokeres’ minutes as he did not take part in any pre-season training with Sporting before joining last week.

The 27-year-old has only had two training sessions with his new club and is still getting up to speed.

Gyokeres is clearly hungry to make an impact and, even in this brief cameo, his willingness to run in behind was clear.

Arsenal have two more pre-season friendlies next week, both at Emirates Stadium, and that should provide fans with a proper sighting of their new star striker.

This was quiet start from Gyokeres, but he will hope for fireworks in the near future.