VIKTOR GYOKERES watched mostly from the bench as his Arsenal side lost in a pre-season friendly to Tottenham.
The North London rivals met in Hong Kong to add some spice to their Premier League preparations.
GettyViktor Gyoekeres came off the bench against Spurs[/caption]
Pape Matar Sarr’s 50-yard strike on 45 minutes was enough to separate the sides – with the Gunners’ new striker Gyokeres getting just 13 minutes to impress.
Here is how Tom Barclay rated Mikel Arteta’s players at the Kai Tak Sports Park stadium.
David Raya: 5
Struggled with Tottenham’s threat from set-pieces, particularly with Micky van de Ven standing in front of him at corners.
Twice Spurs hit the far post in the first half when corners were fired in and Raya got nowhere near the deliveries, having been put off by nuisance Van de Ven.
Could only watch as Pape Sarr’s brilliant matchwinner from near the halfway line flew over his head and into the back of the net.
Ben White: 6
Good battle with the lively Wilson Odobert down Spurs’ left-hand side of their attack.
One vital touch from White deflected an Odobert shot onto the post, while White had a flick from a Bukayo Saka corner that was cleared away
Shutterstock EditorialBen White battled with the lively Wilson Odobert down Spurs’ left-hand side[/caption]
William Saliba: 6
Flicked on an early shot from Martin Odegaard just wide of the post. Was in the right place at the right time to clear Richarlison’s follow-up after Pedro Porro’s early corner struck the post
Jakub Kiwior: 5
Looked a little hesitant in the air. Did make one vital block to deny a shot from the dangerous Mohammed Kudus.
Shutterstock EditorialMyles Lewis-Skelly was kept on his toes[/caption]
Myles Lewis-Skelly: 5
Had to be on his toes against Kudus, who showed an impressive power when on the ball. Stepped into midfield when he could but then lost the ball just before half-time near the halfway line, leading to Pape Matar Sarr to fire home a wondergoal over the helpless Raya.
Christian Norgaard: 6
Solid display in the heart of midfield from the new man, who was the core of Thomas Frank’s team at Brentford for so many years.
Did not take too kindly when Djed Spence refused to give the ball back initially, having taken out the Dane.
AFPDeclan Rice was part of a midfield battle feistier than your average pre-season friendly[/caption]
Declan Rice: 6
Had an early shot deflected wide by Porro.
Was part of a midfield battle feistier than your average pre-season friendly – but then again, it was a North London derby.
Martin Odegaard: 5
Average, given his sky-high standards.
Showed some nice touches – of course he did, he’s such a talent – but did not affect the game as much as he would have liked.
AFPBukayo Saka failed to make his usual impact[/caption]
Bukayo Saka: 6
Fired in a number of dangerous corners which almost led to goals, but Spurs defended resolutely.
Spence largely dealt with his fellow Englishman well, but Saka was also keen to take on his man at every occasion. Took a whack just before coming off for 15-year-old Max Dowman.
Kai Havertz: 5
Looked physically bulked up in stature but also rusty in performance.
His shots lacked power and some of his passing was sloppy, though he had one nice link-up with Lewis-Skelly after the break that led to Gabriel Martinelli shooting over
AFPGabriel Martinelli struggled to get into the game[/caption]
Gabriel Martinelli: 4
Struggled to get into the game. Had one shot on the stretch when teed up nicely by Havertz but fired it over.
Porro seemed equal to most things Martinelli threw at him.
SUBS
68 Martin Zubimendi for Norgaard: 6
Had a dipping volley within a minute of coming on that went narrowly over the bar.
68 Leandro Trossard for Martinelli: 6
Did not last long after picking up an injury, being replaced by Reiss Nelson (85, 6)
77 Max Dowman for Saka: 7
Had a shot blocked from a half-cleared corner for the 15-year-old everyone is raving about. His natural dribbling ability was evident, and he did it at pace too.
77 Viktor Gyokeres for Havertz: 6
Huge cheer for the Sweden striker when he takes to the pitch for his first appearance for Arsenal. Showed some nice control in the box before teeing up a shot for Zubimendi.
77 Cristhian Mosquera for Kiwior: 6
By the time he came on, Arsenal were largely pushing for a leveller, with Spurs looking to see it out, so did not get to see much of the action.
77 Mikel Merino for Rice: 6
Came on back in his natural midfield position, rather than the makeshift centre-forward role he had to play at the back end of last season.
77 Oleksandr Zinchenko for Lewis-Skelly: 5
Fired in a poor cross after coming on.
GettyGyokeres in action for Arsenal for the first time[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
