Mikel Arteta praised the “aura” that Eberechi Eze has infused into Arsenal following his decision to reject a transfer to Tottenham, after which he netted a hat trick against them.
After Leandro Trossard put Arsenal ahead in the 36th minute on Sunday, Eze became the first player to score a hat trick in a north London derby in 47 years, with Richarlison’s stunning long-range effort being Spurs’ only response.
Eze chose not to join Tottenham upon leaving Crystal Palace during the summer transfer window.
Commenting on Eze’s remarkable performance, Arteta said: “Things happen for a reason. After international duty [with England], he had two days off, and after just one day, he was eager to train, improve, and requested extra practice while asking me questions about various aspects of the game.”
“When a player possesses such talent coupled with a strong desire, remarkable things occur. He truly deserves this success. I’m thrilled for him because he has contributed something unique to the team since his arrival.”
“It’s a joy, an aura that this team needed. I hope it instills immense confidence in him and the team, demonstrating that he has the ability to change the game at any moment, and he must continue to harness that talent.”
Arteta downplayed the significance of Arsenal’s six-point lead at the top of the Premier League following their victory over Tottenham.
With both Manchester City and reigning champions Liverpool having lost, the Gunners took advantage decisively to move ahead of Chelsea. When asked about the implications of the gap, Arteta stated: “In this league? Not much.”
“We’re performing well, maintaining consistency, and that’s what matters. Comparing results, whether teams win or lose, the margins are often slim.”
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“We understand that we need key players back right away. Having Noni [Madueke] back on the pitch is fantastic, but we still have several important absences, and we’ll need everyone to contribute.”
After a last-minute equalizer against Sunderland led to a 2-2 draw before the international break, Arsenal rebounded with a strong performance. Arteta reflected: “Against Sunderland, we dropped two points in the final moments, leaving us with a bitter taste going into the break after ten consecutive wins prior to that. We were eager to regain our momentum, and today’s derby performance is a positive step forward.”