Mohammed Kudus Shines in North London Derby Victory for Tottenham Against Arsenal
- Ghanaian international Mohammed Kudus delivered a standout display in his debut North London derby
- The 24-year-old featured for over an hour as Tottenham edged out Arsenal on Thursday, July 31
- The Ghana football star has his sights on upcoming pre-season clashes against Newcastle United and Bayern Munich
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In a thrilling encounter far away from familiar territory, Mohammed Kudus and his Tottenham Hotspur teammates silenced Arsenal in the first-ever North London derby played outside the United Kingdom.
The much-anticipated clash unfolded at the Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong, with Pape Matar Sarr’s first-half screamer proving the difference in a tightly contested battle.
Source: Getty Images
Tottenham pips Arsenal in Hong Kong
Coming into the match, Arsenal looked sharp and full of confidence. Their unbeaten preseason run had many tipping them to take the honours.
But the Lilywhites had other plans. Right from the first whistle, Tottenham played with intent, pressing with energy and pushing forward with every opportunity.
Though Arsenal enjoyed more of the ball, it was Spurs who looked more dangerous whenever they advanced.
Source: Getty Images
Tottenham came close when Richarlison’s strike, following a corner, had to be cleared off the line. Minutes later, Wilson Odobert tried his luck, only to see his low drive bounce off the foot of the post.
Eventually, their persistence paid off.
Pape Matar Sarr, enjoying a rich vein of form this preseason, pressed Myles Lewis-Skelly high up the pitch.
He won the ball cleanly, lifted his head, and noticed the Arsenal goalkeeper way off his line.
Without hesitation, he unleashed a fierce long-range effort that soared straight into the net, as noted by Goal.
Watch the goal:
The Gunners stepped up their efforts after conceding. Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard tried to pull the strings, threading passes and probing for space.
Yet the Spurs defence stayed disciplined and compact, denying them any clear chances.
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Even after making several changes in the second half, including the introduction of new signing Viktor Gyökeres, Arsenal couldn't find a breakthrough, per the BBC.
Tottenham held on to seal a narrow but deserved victory. It was their second preseason win, extending their unbeaten run after beating Reading and drawing with Wycombe and Luton Town.
Kudus fearless, crowd captivated
Tottenham supporters were buzzing across social media after Mohammed Kudus' electric showing in his first North London Derby. Though he didn’t score, his bold dribbling, close control, and physical dominance made an instant impact.
Kudus repeatedly drove at Arsenal’s defence, leaving young left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly scrambling and fans online describing him as “unplayable” and “built for derbies.”
Beyond his flair, Kudus’ tactical intelligence stood out. He timed his pressing triggers perfectly, often leading Spurs’ counter-attacks and forcing mistakes deep in Arsenal’s half.
Kudus’ confidence in tight spaces, quick turns under pressure, and ability to draw fouls in dangerous areas had even neutral fans applauding. His North London Derby debut proved that he’s not just a highlight-reel player, he’s ready to be a big-game performer for Spurs.
Mohammed Kudus shines against Arsenal
Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus started the game and played for 63 minutes. While he didn’t get on the scoresheet, his impact was undeniable.
He tormented Arsenal’s backline with direct runs and physical play, especially giving Myles Lewis-Skelly a torrid time on the left flank. His performance sparked a wave of praise across social media:
@imzftbi lauded the 24-year-old:
"Kudus might be the strongest footballer I’ve ever seen."
@tansleona chimed in:
"It’s so refreshing to have an attacker like Kudus who’s actually a problem to defend against."
@sneharants summed up:
"Kudus is the type of player that I already know I'm going to defend to death on this app."
Next up for Kudus and the Spurs squad is a stern test against Newcastle United on August 3. Just four days later, they’ll take on German giants Bayern Munich.
Kudus dazzles at training
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Mohammed Kudus dazzled in training with a slick piece of skill ahead of Tottenham’s clash with Arsenal.
In the video, he effortlessly manoeuvres between two defenders, slicing through them before driving into the penalty area.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
