Pre-season Daily Digest: Gyokeres debuts in Gunners derby defeat while Amorim hails Manchester United youngsters

There was a big debut for Arsenal and updates on Alexander Isak and Alejandro Garnacho. Here is Thursday’s pre-season lowdown:

Gyokeres can’t save Arsenal from derby defeat as Sarr scores halfway line stunner

Viktor Gyokeres made his Arsenal debut from the bench but could not prevent his new side from falling to a pre-season friendly defeat to rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Thomas Frank’s men took the spoils and the pre-season trophy after Pape Matar Sarr’s spectacular strike from the halfway line.

Gyokeres only had limited training time with his new club prior to the game in Hong Kong, but Mikel Arteta sent the striker on with 13 minutes remaining.

The Swede was unable to make an impact and had one touch inside the box during his cameo, though Arsenal largely struggled to create opportunities and bring their new forward into the game.

Gyokeres was one of two new arrivals to make their debut, with centre-back Cristhian Mosquera also coming on after making a £15m move from Valencia. The pair have followed Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga through the door at the Emirates Stadium.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content

United youngsters shine as Manchester United optimism grows

Ruben Amorim insists his Manchester United players are already “stronger and faster” than last season, and optimism ahead of the new campaign is high after two wins on the bounce.

United saw off West Ham 2-1 on Sunday, before goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Patrick Dorgu, Amad Diallo and Ethan Williams helped them to a convincing 4-1 win over Bournemouth on Wednesday morning.

“We are improving,” Amorim said after the victory against the Cherries. “But, again, it's a pre-season game. The pressure is going to be so much different during the season.

“I think they are playing better also because they are connecting better with each other. Not just on the pitch, but off the pitch. I think they are stronger, they are faster. You can see the intensity is completely different [from last season].

“I can see the data from the minutes are completely different. It's important for them to understand that the same players can play a different game.”

United have made contact with RB Leipzig over the possibility of signing striker Benjamin Sesko, and while the Portuguese head coach insisted he is “really happy” with Hojlund, he could not offer any guarantees of how much game time the Dane will get this season.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content

Isak trains alone as Newcastle target returns to club

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak is training alone at Real Sociedad, the Basque club have confirmed.

The Sweden international, who is reported to have asked Newcastle executives to explore a move away from St James' Park, has been heavily linked with Liverpool.

His former club Sociedad confirmed on Thursday he was "working with his trainers" at the club's Zubieta facility.

The player did not travel with the rest of the Newcastle squad earlier this month for their pre-season tour of Asia amid speculation over his future, with the club saying at the time he was absent due to a minor thigh injury.

A record bid is expected from Liverpool any day, and if The Magpies are to let him go, they will need a replacement.

Yoane Wissa, who was the subject of a £25million bid from Newcastle, left the club’s pre-season training camp in Portugal last Tuesday.

He returned to London for talks with Brentford director of football Phil Giles, with the forward said to be furious as he believed he was given assurances he could leave the club this summer.

The BBC have reported that Wissa, who scored 19 Premier League goals last season, did not train with his Brentford team-mates on Thursday and that he reiterated his desire to leave before walking out.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content

Chelsea’s spending spree continues as Blues eye Garnacho

Chelsea have no concerns over the character of transfer target Alejandro Garnacho after carrying out a series of background checks on the out-of-favour Manchester United winger.

Garnacho has been a long-term target of Chelsea, who are understood to be the favoured destination of the Argentine this summer.

Chelsea are expected to make an offer for Garnacho before the transfer window shuts, but may have to wait for United’s search for a new striker to come to an end with the Old Trafford club hoping to sign Benjamin Sesko.

Chelsea have held talks over signing RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, but his arrival would not shut the door on a move for Garnacho if the club can make room for both players.

Defender Jorrel Hato is poised to complete his £37m switch from Ajax in time for the start of Chelsea’s mini pre-season next week, which will allow the club to focus on outgoings and moves for Simons and Garnacho.

Garnacho has been bombed out of the United first team by head coach Ruben Amorim, but Chelsea have not been put off by his Old Trafford fall-out.

Click here to read article