Arsenal Manager Arteta: Asia Tour Showed Our Strength Beyond the Scoreline

Gunners boss Arteta reflects on growth, unity, and global fan support despite narrow derby defeat

Mikel Arteta isn't one to dwell on setbacks, and that mindset was on full display as Arsenal wrapped up their Asia pre-season tour. Following a narrow 1-0 loss to arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong, the Arsenal manager was quick to shift focus, not toward frustration, but toward progress.

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The defeat, sealed by a long-range strike from Pape Sarr in a tightly contested North London Derby at the Kai Tak Sports Park, didn’t overshadow what Arteta sees as a vital two weeks of development, bonding, and global outreach.

"We didn’t manage to get the result that we wanted, but a lot to take," Arteta told arsenal.com after the final whistle. "In terms of the preparation, the opposition that we have, the atmosphere, the stadium that we played in… a lot of positives to take from the camp and the boys."

And while the scoreboard in Hong Kong didn’t favour the Gunners, their tour through Singapore and Hong Kong delivered plenty of wins off the pitch, and two on it. Victories earlier in the trip gave the squad both momentum and opportunity to gel, with new signings integrated into the rhythm of Arteta’s high standards.

New Faces, Instant Impact

This tour also marked the first appearances in red and white for summer arrivals Viktor Gyokeres and Cristhian Mosquera. Both featured against Spurs and impressed their manager with talent and attitude.

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"A big surprise," Arteta said of the newcomers’ impact. "Because whenever we have them participate in training sessions, in games, the attitude and especially the quality that they have has been incredible, so very pleased."

The Gunners manager made it clear that this wasn’t just about match sharpness. For Arteta, the Asia tour was about deeper layers of team-building - the kind that happens in hotel lobbies, on long bus rides, and in front of tens of thousands of faraway fans who know every chant.

"The incredible camaraderie that we had between the players and the staff… it’s been a long two weeks, with a lot happening, a lot of things that you have to adapt in your preparation," he explained. "But the attitude of everybody to make it happen… a big thank you because they've done an amazing job."

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The Asia tour may have ended with a setback on the scoreboard, but the message from the manager is clear: this trip was about more than goals. It was about identity, unity, and preparing the ground for what lies ahead.