Football General Manager
- Spurs beat Arsenal in a pre-season friendly
- Sarr scored a sensational winner
- Took aim at their fierce rivals on social media
While the goal was celebrated by the Tottenham camp, it wasn’t without controversy. Arsenal players immediately protested the referee’s decision to let play continue after Richarlison‘s challenge. They argued that the Brazilian forward had committed a foul in winning the ball from Myles Lewis-Skelly, but the official, Lau Fong Hei, remained unmoved and allowed the goal to stand.
Though the fixture may have been billed as a pre-season friendly, Tottenham’s victory came with silverware, providing the club with more than just bragging rights. Spurs took full advantage of the occasion, lifting the trophy and taking to social media to revel in their success.
Tottenham’s media team wasted no time in mocking their local rivals with one post captioned, “Another one for the trophy cabinet,” clearly aimed at Arsenal’s well-documented struggles to add to their honours in recent years.
The jibe struck a nerve, as Tottenham, often on the receiving end of jokes about their own silverware drought, have started to turn the narrative. Having gone nearly 17 years without a major honour, Spurs ended their barren run last season under Ange Postecoglou by winning the Europa League final against Manchester United.
With Tottenham lifting two pieces of silverware in a matter of months, Arsenal have now become the ‘top six’ club with the longest ongoing wait for a major trophy. Their most recent triumph dates back to the 2019-2020 season when manager Mikel Arteta guided them to an FA Cup win in his debut campaign.
Next up for Arsenal is a clash against Villarreal on Wednesday, followed by a matchup with Athletic Club in the Emirates Cup on August 9. Tottenham are set to face Newcastle United on Sunday before heading into a significant meeting with Bayern Munich, where former star Harry Kane will line up against his old club on August 7. Just six days later, Spurs will face French champions Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup final.