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Arsenal vs Tottenham: Match Preview | Hong Kong 2025

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Jainil Shah | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 4:04 PM ET

We have an early opportunity to squeeze into our seats as the North London derby takes a historic step this Thursday when Tottenham Hotspur will be facing Arsenal miles away from North London in Hong Kong at the newly minted Kai Tak Sports Park as we begin a fresh chapter at N17 with Thomas Frank taking over the reins at Hotspur Way.

The former Brentford head coach comes in at N17 as he takes over Ange Postecoglou’s role, and while the latter had a thrilling conclusion to the season with the Europa League triumph, that was not enough to fill the deeper problems, which showed in the Lilywhites’ 16th-place finish last season.

But it is now time to focus on the new season, a season where Tottenham welcomes back Champions League football at N17, and this is where the prep begins, facing Arsenal. This will be the first time that the Dane head coach takes charge of an NLD, and while it is a highly acclaimed and passionate game for the supporters, given that it is still a friendly, both the coaches on either side will have to be looking to get their sides ready for the upcoming season (which is not too far now).

And Thomas Frank is looking forward to the challenge as he acknowledged the Gunners standards and then went on to insist that he will do everything to win the game against Mikel Arteta’s side, and that is exactly what the fans would love to hear. Yes, it is friendly, but it is Arsenal on the other side, so it is never friendly. It’s all blood and sweat to get the result.

Speaking ahead of the game, the former Bees manager said:

“I think it’s a great challenge even besides being our biggest rivals and the first north London derby outside the UK. It’s also right now [against] one of the best teams I must say unfortunately in the world. We need to be honest.

“In that way it’s going to be a big test. But it’s more than a test, as against Arsenal it’s not only a friendly. Of course, it’s a game we will do everything we can to win.”

Frank has a few injury concerns going into Arsenal vs Tottenham

Now as Tottenham takes to Hong Kong, Thomas Frank will be facing a bit of injury concerns with Manor Solomon, Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin, Destiny Udogie, and summer signing from Japan Kota Takai all already having been ruled out for the game with injury. This will leave the Lilywhites quite thin with options going into the game, which will ideally be the first major test at N17 under new management.

And while a lot of excitement among the Tottenham fans in Hong Kong will be around the North Londoners marquee arrival this summer in Mohammed Kudus, the supporters would also be screaming on top of their heads for captain Son Heung-min, who has been continually subject to links with a move away from Hotspur Way, with recent links insisting that he could be on his way to MLS, where LAFC are taking interest in attaining his signature.

But with a few options to choose from, this could have been a perfect opportunity for Thomas Frank to have a close look at the likes of Mikey Moore, Dane Scarlett, and Alfie Devine, but all of the aforementioned three are in London as the North Londoners look to find all of them possible loan transfers away for the upcoming season.

How can Tottenham line up vs Arsenal this Thursday?

Given that Thomas Frank has a thin squad, he will have to name a bit of makeshift side.

4-3-3: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Maddison, Bentancur, Sarr; Kudus, Solanke, Son

Opposition Watch

Arteta would be under a lot of pressure

Across the town, the Gunners have a lot of pressure brewing at the Emirates Stadium, where, despite their Champions League semi-final success complemented by the runners-up finish in the Champions League last season, the pundits have started talking about the lack of titles at Arsenal under Arteta.

And with Arsenal confirming the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, he is looked at as a potential game-changer given that he would bring a sure amount of goals up front at N5, and he will likely make his debut for Arsenal against Tottenham in Hong Kong, which adds another subplot to talk about for this Thursday’s game.

Where to watch Arsenal vs Tottenham?

The viewers from UK territory will be able to stream the game from 12:30 PM BST on SpursPlay (alternatively also on Arsenal’s official website), as the Lilywhites’ new era unfolds far from familiar North London surroundings.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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