Mikel Arteta sends defiant message to Arsenal fans after Tottenham defeat
Mikel Arteta struck a defiant tone despite Arsenal falling 1-0 to arch-rivals Tottenham in Hong Kong, the only defeat of their pre-season tour of Asia.
The Gunners boss admitted the result left a 'bad taste', but insisted the experience will prove valuable as his side ramps up preparations for the new Premier League season.
He said: 'I'm very positive about everything I've seen in the last 10 days. It gives me a lot of encouragement.
'We are ahead of what I was expecting in many areas. Even though this result leaves a taste, I think it's going to be a positive one. It's a reminder of how fine the margins are between winning and losing, and we have to manage those better. But we go again.'
Arsenal return to London on Friday to round off pre-season with home friendlies against Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao before kicking off their league campaign away to Manchester United on August 17.
The game in Hong Kong saw new striker Viktor Gyokeres make his debut as a late substitute, playing 15 quiet minutes. But Arteta is confident the Swedish forward will soon show his true quality.
'It was a short one, but at least that debut is out of the way now,' Arteta said. 'Next time, against Villarreal at the Emirates, I'm sure it will be different.'
He also had praise for 20-year-old Portuguese defender Cristhian Mosquera, who impressed in his brief cameo. 'I'm really happy to have them both here,' said Arteta. 'They're going to add a lot of value. You see the energy and quality they bring straight away.'
There was further good news on the injury front, with Arteta revealing that Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber – all absent in Hong Kong – are expected to be fit for the season opener.
'We're in a good place,' he added. 'Now we focus on finishing pre-season strong.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
20 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Son of ex-Premier League and Northern Ireland goalkeeper out to follow father's lead after starring at SuperCup NI
Despite being only 14-years-old, he knew that keeping a clean sheet would have been significant given both the opposition and his family history. Had Phoenix Blayney managed to keep out the late strike from Archie Lovatt, it would have seen County Antrim inflict the only defeat of the 2025 SuperCup NI on Southampton – who went on to beat a Manchester United side with the son of a famous father of their own in their ranks – to win the Premier title. Even with Kai Rooney and Jacey Carrick in their team, whose fathers Wayne and Michael were serial winners at United, the Red Devils fell to a 1-0 defeat in the Final. 'It was very frustrating not to get a clean sheet,' said Blayney. 'We thought there was a handball in the build-up. 'I still think we did well because no one else in the competition was able to beat them or even get a draw. 'It would have been brilliant to have got that clean sheet against Southampton, especially because my dad used to play there. It would have been fantastic for me.' 'Dad' to Phoenix is Alan, a three-time double winner in his time with Linfield. Although he only played three Premier League games during a five-year stay at Southampton, his debut in May 2004 was arguably the most significant game of his career. A stop from an Alan Shearer header in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Newcastle United won him the Sky Sports Save of the Season award. The fourth of Alan's five Northern Ireland caps was hugely significant, too. While the 1-1 draw with Morocco in November 2010 isn't one that will particularly stick in the mind of the Green and White Army, the day itself does for the Blayney family; it was the day Phoenix was born. Alan had been called up for the match, left the team hotel to be at the birth and ended a whirlwind day by coming on as a half-time substitute for Jonny Tuffey. Given that he came into the world on that particular day, it was probably inevitable that Phoenix would want to follow in his father's footsteps and be a goalkeeper. 'Ever since I was young, I always had his gloves on in the garden messing about,' said Phoenix, who played in the Junior section for County Antrim in 2024 and is still young enough to return to the Premier competition in 2026. 'I always just loved getting dirty and always loved playing. 'I just love getting hurt, getting the ball in the face and getting dirty. Just loved it from the start.' The young Blayney is already catching the eye of Premier League clubs. Standing at almost 6ft at just 14-years-old, he's hard to miss, but having a father who made it to the top means he knows that it takes more than being tall to hit the heights. 'He just plays his own game. He's calm and he just takes everything in his stride. I don't think he feels pressure,' said Alan. 'I just tell him to work hard, have a good attitude and try to enjoy every game. That's really all the advice I give him and then let him do his own thing and then let the football do the talking. 'It would have been good if he'd managed to keep a clean sheet, but I think he had a decent game and, all in all, it was a decent night for them.' From his start messing about in the garden, things are getting serious for Phoenix, and the benefit of Alan's coaching – both are with Larne – as well as his father's advice means he is well-placed for the future. 'My dad is a massive inspiration. I just always wanted to do what he did,' said Phoenix. 'I'm really keen to do it. I would really, really love to sign across the water and keep football going.'
Daily Mail
21 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Tottenham officially confirm loan signing of Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich
Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich. The 30-year-old midfielder has joined on loan until the end of the season and an option to turn the deal permanent next summer has been included. More to follow.
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Chelsea sign 19-year-old Netherlands defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax
The 19-year-old, who has been capped six times by his country, has signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge. He becomes the Blues' eighth signing of the summer transfer window. 'I'm very excited, I'm so happy to be here,' Hato, who can operate in central defence or at left-back, told the Premier League club's website. Jorrel Hato is officially a Blue. 🔵✍️ — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 3, 2025 'I thought a lot about my future and wanted to take the next step in my career. Chelsea is the best place for me to do that so I'm very happy.' Hato joined Ajax's academy from hometown club Sparta Rotterdam in 2018 and signed his first professional contract aged 16 four years later. He scored four goals in 111 appearances for the Eredivisie giants, with his international debut coming as a substitute in a 6–0 win against Gibraltar in November 2023. Club World Cup champions Chelsea begin the new top-flight season on Sunday, August 17 at home to London rivals Crystal Palace.
