Frank’s Tactical Stamp: Set-Pieces Become Spurs’ Secret Weapon
There’s something unusual happening at Tottenham, and it’s not just the change in the dugout. The friendly clash against Arsenal in Hong Kong had the pulse and pressure of a proper derby, and most fans hardly believed it was pre-season. New boss Thomas Frank isn’t wasting time—he’s making his mark where it counts: set-pieces. Spurs didn’t just sneak a 1-0 win; they dominated the dead-ball situations, testing Arsenal’s backline with corners and deep crosses that kept defenders guessing and fans on the edge of their seats.
Nearly 50,000 spectators packed out the stadium, and what they got felt less like a warm-up and more like a battle for league bragging rights. Richarlison came alive, pressing and hustling, and it was his tenacity that forced the blunder leading to the only goal of the game. Frank’s strategy was clear—turn every set-piece into a scoring chance, and it paid off. Arsenal struggled with the aerial threat, and Tottenham’s players looked like they had been drilled on these scenarios for weeks.
Pape Matar Sarr’s Big Moment and Spurs’ Rising Confidence
The moment that everyone will talk about, though, belongs to Pape Matar Sarr. Sarr, who’s been quietly building his reputation, unleashed a sensational lob from 40 yards. Arsenal’s keeper, David Raya, hesitated under pressure as Richarlison chased him down, and Sarr pounced ruthlessly on the mistake. The ball sailed perfectly into goal, a shot so audacious that even neutral fans were in disbelief. Thomas Frank called it the ‘goal of the season’—hard to argue when a midfielder scores from that far out, with the calmness of someone hitting a pass in training.
Frank didn’t just praise Sarr’s technical skill. He highlighted Sarr’s composure, his preseason work ethic, and his ability to turn up when it mattered. There’s something inspiring about seeing a player capitalize on a rare opportunity, especially when the squad is still learning the ropes under a new manager. It wasn’t just Sarr stealing the show; Mohamed Kudus stood out as well, serving up dangerous deliveries and pressing hard, showing Frank has several sharp tools at hand.
But this wasn’t just about individual highlights or a flash of brilliance. The intensity was real, with both teams refusing to play at half-speed. Frank admitted this could’ve easily passed as a league match—high tempo, flying tackles, and a crowd roaring at every near-chance. For him, this game was more than a result; it offered a real taste of the global expectation that comes with managing Spurs, especially in front of a vast international following.
Set-piece dominance, daring goals, and fresh hunger—Tottenham fans are catching a glimpse of what Frank’s era might bring. If this friendly is anything to go by, Spurs could become a real threat at dead-ball situations, and Sarr might just be the breakout star nobody saw coming. The new season suddenly looks a whole lot more interesting.
