Yesterday at the Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong, Arsenal faced Spurs in the North London derby’s first iteration outside of London. In this thrilling tactical encounter both sets of fans got a glimpse of what they expect to see from their team next season. Both teams started with what many expect to be their starting 11 on Gameweek 1. Arsenal set up in their usual 4-3-3 shape and Spurs in a 4-2-3-1. In a match of few clear cut chances, each manager’s tactical decisions were very interesting as the match unfolded.

For one, Arsenal pressed very high up the pitch in an effort to win the ball back high up the field or force Spurs to play long. Yes, Arsenal are known to be a very potent pressing team, but yesterday felt different. There was a hunger to their press, it seemed more coordinated and physical. The Arsenal front line seemed to press with more intensity and once they won the ball back they looked forward straight away in order to take advantage of the gaps in Spurs’s defense transitioning from attack to defense. This is different to what we see Arsenal do last season. During the 24/25 season once Arsenal won the ball back their first pass was not direct, but more secure. They tended to pass the ball backwards or sideways in order to maintain possession. This new tactic from Arteta foreshadows what I believe to be Arsenal’s more direct approach next season. Additionally, Arsenal sent out many more crosses, took more long range shots, and played frequent long passes to the wings. Each which were no where to be seen at Arsenal next season. It really does seem like Arteta wants Arsenal to be more forceful, direct and imposing next season, which bodes well for Arsenal fans complamining of their … appraoch lasts eason.

In terms of Tottenham, I was very impressed with their defensive solidity and ruggedness. Under Postecoglou, Spurs’s defense leaked goals. They were exposed time after time and didn’t seem to defend as a team. However, yesterday was the complete opposite. Frank instructed his side to stay deep when Arsenal had the ball, forcing them wide. When the ball entered their box, Spurs won every 50/50 and cleared the ball effectively. Van de Ven and Romero were very strong in terms of clearances and blocks. On the ball, Spurs looked very threatening on the counter, whether it was winning the ball back deep and then countering or being able to play out of Arsenal’s press. But one thing was clear, Kudus was at the center of every dangerous Spurs attack. It seems as if next season Kudus will be the target for Spurs to launch their attacks, similarly to Mbeumo last season at Brentford. His low center of gravity, strength and awareness makes him ideal to play in this role. As Arsenal dominated posession, we didn’t really get to see much of what Spurs intend to do next season in possession when trying to break down opponents, but from what I saw next season seems very promising for the white side of North London.