Tottenham Edge Arsenal 1–0 in Cautious Preseason Clash

Tottenham Hotspur edged past North London rivals Arsenal with a slender 1–0 win in a tightly contested preseason friendly on Thursday.

The breakthrough came just before the half-time whistle, as Pape Matar Sarr netted the decisive goal in the 45th minute, capitalizing on a rare lapse in Arsenal’s defence.

Despite flashes of intensity from both sides, clear-cut opportunities remained limited throughout the match, making for a largely tactical affair.

The game saw a few disciplinary moments: Rodrigo Bentancur received a yellow card for Spurs in the 36th minute, while Mikel Merino of Arsenal and Brennan Johnson of Tottenham were both cautioned during stoppage time.

Beyond the rivalry, the match served as a key fitness and tactical assessment for both squads as they fine-tune preparations ahead of the new season.

Although classified as a friendly, Spurs will take momentum — and bragging rights — from this narrow victory over their longtime rivals.