All eyes will be on new signing Viktor Gyøkeres, who IS on the bench for Mikel Arteta after the Arsenal manager was his usual, non-committal self in his press conference. Everyone will be eager to see the striker take the pitch in a red shirt for the first time.

North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham will go to battle in new surroundings in what promises to be a highlight of pre-season in Hong Kong. While billed as a friendly, the first ever pre-season North London derby to take place outside the UK should be anything but as both rivals look to snatch early bragging rights.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are set to continue preseason preparations on Thursday, when the north London rivals meet outside the UK for the first time in derby history — in a so-called friendly — in Hong Kong.

While data is still being analysed, it is already clear that demand for Gyokeres’ No 14 shirt exceeds that of any player in recent history.

The interview with Viktor Gyokeres took place at the Arsenal team hotel in Hong Kong. There were supporters lined up on the driveway and also in the lobby hoping to meet some of their heroes. I had been introduced to Gyokeres after his unveiling at the Newcastle match in Singapore and his stature is one of the first things you notice - he is an imposing figure.

Viktor Gyokeres could make his Arsenal debut from the bench after missing out on the starting XI to face fierce rivals Tottenham in their hotly-anticipated pre-season clash. The 27-year-old Sweden striker completed his £55m transfer from Sporting Lisbon on Saturday and was presented to fans ahead of the Gunners’ 3-2 win over Newcastle in Singapore the day after.