KAI HAVERTZ was brilliantly skinned by Cristian Romero during Arsenal’s friendly defeat to Tottenham.
But it was Djed Spence that ended up feeling the brunt of the incident.
Tottenham beat their fierce rivals 1-0 in Hong Kong courtesy of Pape Matar Sarr’s sensational 45-yard strike at the new Kai Tak stadium.
During the first half, Romero embarrassed Arsenal forward Havertz.
Picking up the ball virtually on his own byline, the Argentine was closed down by his German opponent.
Calmness personified, Romero brilliantly skipped past Havertz.
As the defender waltzed away from the challenge, Havertz went sliding into unfortunate bystander Spence.
The 26-year-old caught the Spurs full-back’s knee, but no action was taken by the referee.
After a few moments down on the turf, Spence was able to gingerly rise to his feet and continue.
The former Nottingham Forest star was one of several standout performers on the night, keeping Bukayo Saka and then Max Dowman very quiet for the Gunners.
Tottenham struck the post three times during the first half, via corners by Pedro Porro and Mohammed Kudus, then an effort by Wilson Odobert.
Sarr eventually broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time, brilliantly lobbing stranded goalkeeper David Raya after dispossessing Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Arsenal had plenty of the ball during the second half of the encounter.
But even after a raft of Spurs substitutions, which included both Romero and Micky van de Ven going off, Mikel Arteta’s side were unable to break through.
After the game, Tottenham boss Thomas Frank told the club’s media team: “A 1-0 score against Arsenal is an absolutely beautiful score!
“Yes, it is a friendly, but it’s also a very competitive match. I said before the game that games against Arsenal are never ‘friendly’. It means everything.
“I have to give respect to both teams for their competitiveness in the game. It was very competitive.
“I was extremely happy with our first half, that first half was completely even.
“In many ways I loved the way the team performed, and throughout the game the defensive structure was top.”
Tottenham will return to action on Sunday when they take on Newcastle in South Korea, while Arsenal will be back in London for a clash with Villarreal next Wednesday.
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