‘FRIENDLY’ FIRE

NEW Tottenham manager Thomas Frank admitted that a pre-season clash against Arsenal in Hong Kong would be his first “great challenge” since taking charge and warned it would be “more than a friendly”.

The fierce rivals will lock horns at 1.30pm on Thursday in the first north London derby outside British shores.

“It’s a great challenge,” the Dane wysed reporters at the 50 000-seat Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong, which is sold out for the match.

“Besides being our big rivals, and the first north London derby outside the UK, they are also, right now, one of the best teams, I must say unfortunately, in the world,” he said with a smile.

“Against Arsenal it’s not only a friendly and we’ll do everything we can to win.”

Frank took over last month from Ange Postecoglou, who was sacked despite leading Tottenham to Europa League glory and ending a 17-year trophy drought.

Tottenham have signed attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus from West Ham for $74 million (R1.3 billion), but have been thwarted in efforts to capture Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest.

Meanwhile, Viktor Gyokeres could make his debut for the Gunners on Thursday.

The $67 million (R1.2 billion) Swedish striker came through an open training session in Hong Kong.

Gyokeres joined up with Arsenal on their Asia tour only three days ago, after signing from Sporting Lisbon, but will get some time on the pitch if the club medical team think he is ready, said Arteta.

He is playing fitness catch-up with his new teammates, though, who came through pre-season friendlies in Singapore last week.

Arteta said: “We’re going to assess tonight [Wednesday] how he is, if the medical staff are happy as well with his condition to participate tomorrow.”