New Tottenham manager Thomas Frank admitted Tuesday 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 tomorrow in the first North London derby outside British shores. "It's a great challenge," the Dane told reporters at 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 $74mn, but have been thwarted in efforts to capture Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest. Frank said he and the club were "constantly talking about transfers" but "that is something I would like to keep private".

"In general I am happy with the squad. We're aware of where we maybe want to strengthen in general," he said. "Mohammed has come in and shown his quality already. But, of course, we are looking."

One of Tottenham's problems last season, when they finished 17th in the Premier League, was a long injury list. One of the key players who missed large chunks of the campaign was Micky van de Ven. But the Dutch central defender is confident his injury problems are behind him after a first uninterrupted summer with the Spurs.

"I haven't had a pre-season at Tottenham before," Van de Ven, who signed late in the transfer window in 2023 and then played in the Euros last year, said. "It's more time to work on my body and to make my body prepare for the Premier League and for the Champions League and for all the other games that are coming up," added the 24-year-old. "So I will say that's a positive thing."

Frank said he was aware of the fitness issues last term and having a fully fit squad available would be vital. "I think it's a big thing for any club in the world," said Frank. "Availability is key. It is difficult because there are more games and the intensity in the game is going up. The good thing is we have a good and long preseason. That means it's possible to push and pull the players. We are very aware how we want to play, I want to train, and I think that it needs to be complete. We have made a few adjustments. Hopefully we'll be successful there."

Meanwhile, Frank has given no indication that he believes Son Heung-min will imminently leave the club, amid strong links to MLS club Los Angeles Football Club this summer.

LAFC have been reported to be progressing in talks to sign Son, who succeeded Hugo Lloris as Spurs captain in 2023. But Frank spoke as though the plan is for the South Korean to remain, and gave nothing away if a transfer is close.

“I think first and foremost, Son’s legacy here is remarkable. He’s been a fantastic player for Tottenham, he is a fantastic player for Tottenham,” Frank said. “I see a player that that can play a very good role here next season. He’s come in [for pre-season], very good mindset, trained very hard, pushed the players. So I’m excited about it.”

It has been suggested that Tottenham won’t stand in Son’s way and the decision will be his alone. But no definitive update is expected to come before Spurs face Newcastle United in a friendly in Son’s native South Korea on Sunday. He is a huge marketing draw and, in addition to being a Tottenham legend, his presence makes such opportunities possible and more lucrative.

With Son easily the biggest name in Asian football, Spurs have played four times in South Korea in recent summers — twice each in 2022 and 2024 — as well as several other friendlies in China, Singapore and Japan, going back to 2019. Since joining Spurs in 2015, Son, now 33, has scored 173 goals in 454 appearances. He is fifth on the club’s all-time top scorers—the only foreign player among the top 10—and seventh on the appearances list, not far behind Glenn Hoddle.