What Made Eze’s Hat-Trick Stand Out?
Eberechi Eze delivered the best performance of his Arsenal career as he powered a 4-1 win over Tottenham with a stunning hat-trick that fully reflected what Mikel Arteta called his “exceptional” commitment to improve. The midfielder became only the fourth player to score a treble in a north London derby and the first since Alan Sunderland in 1978. His goals in the 41st, 46th and 76th minutes showcased calm finishing, intelligent movement and total confidence at the Emirates Stadium.
Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the 36th minute, setting the stage for Arsenal’s dominance long before Eze took over. Tottenham attempted to respond with Richarlison’s impressive 35-yard chip in the 55th minute, but it did little to change the tone of a match they never controlled.
Eze’s arrival at Arsenal in August for £60 million came with high expectations, although his early weeks showed a slower transition. Arteta, however, praised the midfielder’s mindset, noting the work he put in immediately after the international break. “I’m so happy for him. It is a day he deserves. At any minute he can win us a game,” Arteta said. He revealed that despite having two scheduled days off, Eze returned to training early because “he wants to improve. He was asking me questions.”
Arteta highlighted the midfielder’s range as a finisher, saying, “He can score from the right, the left, in the ground, with the ball bouncing, he has such a capacity to take these chances. He is exceptional. We need to play to his qualities.” Eze’s decision to reject Tottenham in the summer only sharpened the significance of his derby display. Arteta recalled their first conversation, saying Eze told him he wanted to “play for us and be part of this team.”
How Does This Win Shape Arsenal’s Title Push?
Arsenal’s biggest victory over Tottenham since 2012 widened their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points. Arteta praised the team’s readiness after the international break, noting that “their preparation was top.” He described the performance as defined by “application, energy and the desire to win,” adding that they were “super dominant” from the first minute.
With Liverpool struggling and Manchester City also losing ground after their defeat at Newcastle, the opportunity for Arsenal is clear. After three straight seasons finishing second, the club is in a strong position to chase its first Premier League title since 2004. Still, Arteta kept expectations grounded ahead of a demanding run that includes Bayern Munich and a league trip to second-placed Chelsea. Asked how much confidence the victory gave him, he responded, “In this league? Not much. It means we are doing well and winning games.”
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank apologised after his difficult first north London derby sparked fresh debate over his cautious approach. “Where do I start? It was hugely disappointing that we don’t perform better against our biggest rival. I can only apologise to the fans for that,” he said. Criticism of his tactics continued throughout the weekend, forcing him to defend his methods. “Very emotional and frustrated right now. I take full responsibility. But what I will say is we needed to be more aggressive no matter the system,” he said. He insisted he believes any system can succeed but admitted they “didn’t win enough of those duels.”
Arsenal leave the derby with momentum, confidence and one of the most memorable performances from a new signing in years, while Tottenham return to the drawing board after another tough lesson in a rivalry that offers no patience for hesitation.
By Yockshard Enyendi