In a spectacle that will echo through Arsenal lore for generations, the Gunners delivered a masterclass in the 198th North London Derby, thrashing rivals Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 at a raucous Emirates Stadium.
New signing Eberechi Eze, who etched his name into club history with a blistering hat-trick on his derby debut – the first by an Arsenal player in this fixture since Alan Sunderland's legendary treble in a 5-0 rout back in December 1978.
The Emirates erupted as Eze, the £68 million summer acquisition from Crystal Palace, became only the fourth player to net a competitive hat-trick in the storied rivalry.
Joining an elite list alongside Ted Drake (Arsenal, 1934) and Terry Dyson (Spurs, 1961), Eze's clinical finishing not only powered Arsenal to a commanding lead but also propelled them six points clear at the Premier League summit, capitalizing on stumbles from Liverpool and Manchester City the day prior.
A Derby Defined by Eze's Brilliance
The match ignited early, with Arsenal's high-pressing game suffocating Spurs from the outset. Tottenham, who reportedly eyed Eze themselves in the transfer window before Arsenal swooped in, were made to rue that miss as the 27-year-old winger tore them apart.
His opener arrived in the 22nd minute, pouncing on a Declan Rice interception and rifling a low drive past Guglielmo Vicario after a loose clearance from Pedro Porro.
The second, a moment of "pure quality," saw Eze latch onto a chipped pass from Rice, surge into the right channel, and drill home with venom to double the lead just before halftime.
Leandro Trossard had already opened the scoring in the 36th minute, swivel-volleying a exquisite through-ball from Mikel Merino to send the home crowd into delirium.
Arsenal went into the break 2-0 up, with Spurs looking disjointed under Ange Postecoglou's beleaguered setup.
The second half brought brief hope for Tottenham when Richarlison unleashed a stunning 40-yard lob over David Raya in the 56th minute, pulling one back and injecting life into a one-sided affair. But any notions of a comeback were swiftly extinguished. Eze restored the three-goal cushion in the 76th minute, completing his hat-trick with a composed finish after Bukayo Saka's pinpoint cross – a derby debut demolition that left Spurs fans shell-shocked.
Historical Echoes and Modern Mastery
This wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Ending a 47-year wait for an Arsenal hat-trick in the derby – a drought spanning the entire careers of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, and countless others – Eze's haul arrived on the biggest stage, underscoring Arsenal's resurgence under Mikel Arteta.
As one fan quipped on social media, "Today isn't just North London Derby day. Today is Eberechi Eze day."
Arteta, beaming post-match, hailed his side's ruthlessness: "We knew the importance of this game. Eberechi has that spark he changed the game today." The victory marks Arsenal's sixth win in the last eight derbies, extending their dominance over Spurs and solidifying their title credentials with 31 points from 12 games.
For Tottenham, it's another chapter in derby despair. Despite the wonder-goal from Richarlison, defensive lapses – including five yellow cards – highlighted ongoing frailties. Postecoglou faces mounting pressure as Spurs languish in eighth with 18 points, their European dreams fading.
Key Moments at a Glance for Arsenal vs Tottenham match
- 22': Eze (1-0) – Clinical counter after Rice's steal.
- 36': Trossard (2-0) – Merino's magic assists the Belgian's curl.
- 56': Richarlison (2-1) – Audacious long-range lob stuns Raya.
- 67': Eze (3-1) – Second of the day, exploiting Spurs' chaos.
- 76': Eze (4-1) – Hat-trick sealed; Saka the provider.
Looking Ahead
Arsenal now turn their gaze to Champions League action midweek, buoyed by this derby demolition. For Eze, with six goals in his last four games against Spurs (including prior Palace clashes), the script feels written for silverware. As the Gunners chant: "North London is red."
Match stats: Possession – Arsenal 62%, Spurs 38%; Shots – 18-7; Corners – 8-3. Attendance: 60,341. Referee: Michael Oliver.