Rival manager offers rare praise: 'Clear identity' makes Arsenal a formidable benchmark.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank was full of respect for Arsenal as he previewed Thursday’s pre-season North London Derby during his press conference in Hong Kong.
The clash will mark the first time the two clubs meet outside the UK, and Frank was under no illusions about the scale of the challenge against Mikel Arteta’s side.
“We’re up against one of the best teams in the world,” Frank said. “They’ve been exceptional for the last two seasons, so it’s a great test for us.”
Frank made it clear that, while this remains a pre-season fixture, the Arsenal rivalry adds an edge.
“It’s the North London Derby — these games always matter,” he said. “We’ll treat it as seriously as possible because we want to see how we stack up against a top, top opponent.”
Tottenham arrived in Hong Kong on Monday and have been training in humid conditions ahead of Thursday’s match, which comes just days before they travel to South Korea for a second high-profile friendly against Newcastle United.
Frank said the trip offers more than just a chance to build fitness, pointing out how important it is to engage with the club’s global fanbase.
“The welcome has been incredible,” he said. “But when we step on the pitch, we know the level of competition we’re facing. Arsenal are a team full of quality, and we’ll have to be at our best.”
The Gunners finished second in last season’s title race and have retained a strong squad going into 2025–26. Frank admitted this match would offer Spurs a valuable benchmark as they prepare for his first full season in charge.
“They’ve got stars all over the pitch and a clear identity,” he said. “This is the type of test you want as a manager — to see where you are and what still needs work.”
Frank declined to give away much about his tactical approach but acknowledged that Arsenal’s aggressive press and fluid attacking patterns will force his side to stay sharp.
“We’ve looked at how they move, how they create space,” he said. “We’ve done our homework, but now it’s about putting it into practice.”
Tottenham are without Destiny Udogie and Kota Takai due to injury, but Son Heung-min and Mohammed Kudus are expected to feature prominently.
The derby kicks off Thursday evening in Hong Kong, with both sides eager to lay down a marker — friendly or not.
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