Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur
It’s one of the Premier League’s most watched fixtures, and the Club Friendly between Arsenal and Tottenham gets an early airing this year over at the brand new Kai Tak Stadium.
The 50,000 seater all-purpose arena is a superb setting for the North London Derby, and it will be packed with local fans and keen travellers to see some of the English top-flight’s best players, and there may be a new face or two on show.
Both teams are in training out there right now, and fans will be able to see some open sessions. Then, the London rivals will get it on in Hong Kong on Thursday.
Gyokores is a Gunner
Mikel Arteta has been busy in the market this summer, bringing in midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and forward Noni Madueke from Chelsea for £52 million. But the one the Gunners fans have really been getting excited about is the long-awaited arrival of a prolific goal scorer. Arsenal have their striker in Viktor Gyokores, and he was the star of the show at their clash with Newcastle United last week, even though he wasn’t in the squad.
He completed his £64 million move from Sporting Lisbon and was unveiled before the fans just 24 hours later in the Far East, and the fantastic reception he received showed just what the striker’s arrival means to the fans, with plenty of Sweden national flags in the crowd.
After scoring a goal a game in Portugal, he’ll wear the Number 14 shirt made famous by Thierry Henry, Arsenal’s all-time top scorer with 228 goals in all competitions. If the 27-year-old Gyokores can score half that number, he will pay back his transfer fee handsomely.
The Club Friendly 2025 betting odds like Arteta’s movements in the market have installed them as second favourites for the 2026 title, and they have had a successful pre-season, winning both their games so far.
The Gunners came out on the right side of an entertaining five-goal workout against Newcastle after falling behind to an early Anthony Elanga goal. Mikel Merino, for part of last season a makeshift striker, showed what a good finisher he is when he levelled, and then Kai Havertz forced an own goal with a fierce cross to give Arsenal the lead. Jacob Murphy levelled for the Magpies ,but Martin Odegaard won the game with a penalty, earned by 15-year-old Max Dowman.
Bukayo Saka’s second-half goal gave Arsenal a 1-0 win in their opener against AC Milan. If he can stay fit this term, the SBOTOP odds will continue to back the Gunners. It’s all about Premier League results, but for the time being, a tasty meeting with their closest rivals awaits.
Tottenham miss out on Gibbs-White
Spurs manager Thomas Frank has also been busy in the transfer market since his arrival from Brentford, bringing in Austrian defender Kevin Danso from RC Lens, making forward Mathys Tel’s move from Bayern Munich permanent, and, in an eye-catching move, signing winger Mohammed Kudus in a £55 million transfer from West Ham United.
But he received a disappointing piece of news on the eve of the club’s departure for Hong Kong. After missing out on bringing his former Bees forward Bryan Mbeumo to North London, Frank turned his attention to an attacking midfielder in the shape of Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White. The 25-year-old has improved year on year since his big money switch from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2022, and last week, it looked like he was on the way to Tottenham at a fee of £60 million.
But Gibbs-White has just signed a three-year extension to his Forest contract, and that seems to have ended Spurs’ chances; and with James Maddison not yet in full fitness Frank is looking to strengthen in that area.
Tottenham’s pre-season is just getting underway, and Frank fielded two teams on Saturday as his players took on League One opposition from Luton Town and Wycombe Wanderers. Both teams had underwhelming Club Friendly 2025 results, drawing 0-0 by the Hatters and 2-2 against Wolves, but the manager was able to give all of his available players a run before their trio to Hong Kong. Heung-Min Son, Pedro Porro, and Cristian Romero were all on show against Wycombe, while Pape Matar Sarr scored both goals for Tottenham.
Next up for Spurs is Arsenal. And, while this is a pre-season friendly, when all is said and done, it still matters. Tottenham are in the Champions League after winning the Europa League last season and, in just over two weeks, they kick off the new league campaign at home to Burnley.
But a North London Derby is always high stakes, even when it’s in Hong Kong.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
