‘Back in your box’ – Tottenham Hotspur star pushes Mikel Arteta as Arsenal lose historic north London derby
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Tottenham Hotspur right-back Pedro Porro threatened to come to blows in a fiery first north London derby overseas. It was Spurs who run out 1-0 winners at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong on Thursday thanks to Pape Matar Sarr’s first-half stunner. Arteta’s side failed to create any clear-cut chances during their defeat to TottenhamGetty But his 45th minute goal wasn’t without controversy with his 45-yard lob over David Raya leaving the Arsenal squad and Arteta furious. Raya, who was 30 yards out from his goal, played in Myles Lewis-Skelly by the halfway line, with the left-back instantly surrounded by five Spurs shirts. Lewis-Skelly went down under a challenge from Richarlison, with Sarr picking up the loose ball and finding the back of the net from range for his third goal of pre-season already. Despite protests from Arsenal, the referee awarded the goal – much to the frustration of Arteta. And it seemed that the ex-Gunners captain was riled up during the second half as he nitpicked over a throw-in to be taken by Porro. What did Pedro Porro do to Mikel Arteta in the north London derby? Arteta left his technical area and approached the byline where he looked to get the referee’s attention to point out that Porro was walking further up the pitch for the throw-in – insisting he should move back. By this point, as Porro crept further up the pitch, his Spanish compatriot was in the way, resulting in him pushing the 43-year-old back. It saw Arteta throw his arms in the air after being sent backwards, as he sent a furious look towards Porro and exchanged heated words with the defender. But before he could get face-to-face with the former Sporting Lisbon man, the fourth official got in between the pair in his attempt to de-escalate the situation. Social media was sent into meltdown over the incident, as one X user said: “Arteta always trying to be the main man… get back in your box.” Arteta wasn’t happy with Porro looking to steal a few yards for his throw-in The right-back shoved Arteta out of the way during the clash in Hong Kong The Gunners boss had to be stopped by the fourth official before he could approach PorroNot known, clear with picture desk Another remarked: “Why does he have to push Arteta that way? That is very disrespectful.” A third added: “Wouldn’t matter if the Spurs player took the throw where he was supposed to.” This fan then commented: “The rivalry continues regardless of pre-season.” And one supporter messaged: “Getting physical in a pre-season is nuts.” Meanwhile another simply stated: “Main character syndrome.” Arsenal’s defeat to Spurs was their first loss of their pre-season tour of Asia having beaten both AC Milan and Newcastle recently. Arsenal suffered their first defeat of pre-season – despite mustering 16 shots compared to Spurs’ sixGetty The Gunners saw both striker Viktor Gyokeres and defender Christhian Mosquera make their debuts as late second half substitutes. But neither man did anything of note as Arsenal struggled to create clear-cut chances as they desperately pushed for a late equaliser. Next up for the Gunners is a clash against Villarreal next Wednesday at the Emirates Stadium. As for Spurs, they will pit their wits against Newcastle in South Korea on Sunday.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Tottenham Hotspur right-back Pedro Porro threatened to come to blows in a fiery first north London derby overseas.
It was Spurs who run out 1-0 winners at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong on Thursday thanks to Pape Matar Sarr’s first-half stunner.
But his 45th minute goal wasn’t without controversy with his 45-yard lob over David Raya leaving the Arsenal squad and Arteta furious.
Raya, who was 30 yards out from his goal, played in Myles Lewis-Skelly by the halfway line, with the left-back instantly surrounded by five Spurs shirts.
Lewis-Skelly went down under a challenge from Richarlison, with Sarr picking up the loose ball and finding the back of the net from range for his third goal of pre-season already.
Despite protests from Arsenal, the referee awarded the goal – much to the frustration of Arteta.
And it seemed that the ex-Gunners captain was riled up during the second half as he nitpicked over a throw-in to be taken by Porro.
What did Pedro Porro do to Mikel Arteta in the north London derby?
Arteta left his technical area and approached the byline where he looked to get the referee’s attention to point out that Porro was walking further up the pitch for the throw-in – insisting he should move back.
By this point, as Porro crept further up the pitch, his Spanish compatriot was in the way, resulting in him pushing the 43-year-old back.
It saw Arteta throw his arms in the air after being sent backwards, as he sent a furious look towards Porro and exchanged heated words with the defender.
But before he could get face-to-face with the former Sporting Lisbon man, the fourth official got in between the pair in his attempt to de-escalate the situation.
Social media was sent into meltdown over the incident, as one X user said: “Arteta always trying to be the main man… get back in your box.”
Another remarked: “Why does he have to push Arteta that way? That is very disrespectful.”
A third added: “Wouldn’t matter if the Spurs player took the throw where he was supposed to.”
This fan then commented: “The rivalry continues regardless of pre-season.”
And one supporter messaged: “Getting physical in a pre-season is nuts.”
Meanwhile another simply stated: “Main character syndrome.”
Arsenal’s defeat to Spurs was their first loss of their pre-season tour of Asia having beaten both AC Milan and Newcastle recently.
The Gunners saw both striker Viktor Gyokeres and defender Christhian Mosquera make their debuts as late second half substitutes.
But neither man did anything of note as Arsenal struggled to create clear-cut chances as they desperately pushed for a late equaliser.
Next up for the Gunners is a clash against Villarreal next Wednesday at the Emirates Stadium.
As for Spurs, they will pit their wits against Newcastle in South Korea on Sunday.