LONDON — Eberechi Eze netted the first league hat trick in a North London derby since 1978, leading Arsenal to a decisive 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, pushing the Gunners six points ahead at the top of the Premier League.
With title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City both losing on Saturday, Arsenal seized a vital chance to distance themselves from their main competitors. After Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the 36th minute, Eze took charge, making history as the first player to achieve a hat trick in this fixture in the Premier League.
Spurs, who previously sought Eze during his departure from Crystal Palace in August, struggled to challenge their rivals, with only Richarlison‘s stunning long-range goal providing a momentary highlight.
This victory keeps Arsenal on track for their first title since 2004, with their next match scheduled against Chelsea, who climbed to second after defeating Burnley 2-0 on Saturday. — Mark Ogden
Arsenal Makes a Bold Statement
Weekends when rivals falter are pivotal. Mikel Arteta emphasized this last time both Liverpool and Manchester City lost in the same matchweek, and Arsenal capitalized yet again.
With City defeated by Newcastle United hours after Nottingham Forest overcame Liverpool, Arsenal had the chance to increase their lead to six points over Chelsea. Historically, they have often missed such opportunities, but this season feels different.
The pre-match excitement heightened with the unveiling of a new tifo celebrating Arsenal legends as players entered the pitch, accompanied by a video montage and fireworks to energize the crowd.
Knowing the significance of the moment, the Gunners delivered, pulling seven points clear of City and eleven ahead of defending champions Liverpool.
While November does not crown champions, Arsenal undeniably emerges as favorites for their first title since 2004, continuing their dominance over Spurs with only one home loss in 32 years, which occurred in 2010. — James Olley
Pressure Mounts on Frank
Thomas Frank, in his brief tenure at Spurs, has overseen less than 20 matches, but the loss at the Emirates puts him in a precarious position. Losing to Arsenal is always a tough pill to swallow for Spurs, and besides Richarlison’s remarkable strike, the match yielded little positivity for Frank’s side.
Although a victory would have propelled Spurs into fourth place, it never seemed within reach. Frank’s cautious and defensive strategy may have fueled growing frustration among the Spurs supporters.
This marks Frank’s fifth loss in 19 matches, and he must find a way to improve league performance, especially with tough fixtures ahead. Following Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain, Spurs face Fulham at home – a must-win match – before taking on Newcastle at St. James’ Park. Should Frank still be under pressure post this, his next game against Brentford at home could prove crucial. — Ogden
Eze Reopens Old Wounds for Spurs
Eze’s impactful performance was anticipated given his storyline.
The 27-year-old was close to transferring to Tottenham from Crystal Palace last summer when he contacted Arteta to gauge Arsenal’s interest. With the injury to Kai Havertz, Arteta assured Eze they would make a bid, prompting Eze to inform Palace of his preference for Arsenal, culminating in his move to the Emirates.
The aftermath left Spurs scrambling, leading them to secure Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig instead. Missing out on Eze felt like a setback for Tottenham, and the events of Sunday brought that feeling back sharply.
All three of Eze’s goals showcased his exceptional skill, making him the first to score a hat trick in a North London derby since Alan Sunderland in 1978 and only the fourth player in history to do so. This performance highlights Arsenal’s depth while serving as a painful reminder for Spurs of what they let slip away.
In contrast, Simons started on the bench as Frank prioritized physical strength from the onset, and his substitute appearance at halftime did little to change Tottenham’s fortunes. — Olley
Trossard: The Unsung Hero of Arsenal
Arsenal boasts a wealth of attacking talent this season, especially following the additions of Eze, Viktor Gyökeres, and Noni Madueke. However, it was the often-overlooked Trossard who catalyzed their victory over Spurs.
The Belgium international, acquired for £27 million from Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2023, has been a dependable option for Arteta, albeit rarely starting high-stakes matches. Yet, he was entrusted with a start against Spurs, and his opening goal in the 36th minute marked his tenth contribution in all competitions, leading the team.
Despite considering a summer departure from Arsenal, Trossard ended up signing a new contract after receiving a pay rise, emphasizing his significance to the squad and highlighting the importance of his contributions alongside the star players typically in the spotlight as Arsenal pushes for the title. — Ogden