Eze’s Historic Hat Trick Propels Arsenal to Victory in North London Derby

LONDON — Eberechi Eze made history by scoring the first league hat trick in a North London derby since 1978, leading Arsenal to a commanding 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. This win propels the Gunners six points ahead at the top of the Premier League.

After both title contenders, Liverpool and Manchester City, suffered defeats on Saturday, Arsenal seized the opportunity to extend their lead. Leandro Trossard initiated the scoring for Arsenal in the 36th minute, after which Eze took center stage, achieving a remarkable hat trick in this storied fixture.

Tottenham, having missed the chance to sign Eze when he left Crystal Palace in August, struggled to pose a significant threat to their formidable rivals. Richarlison’s stunning long-range goal provided little consolation for Spurs.

This victory keeps Arsenal firmly on track for their first league title since 2004. Their next challenge will be against Chelsea, who climbed to second place following a 2-0 victory at Burnley.

Mikel Arteta emphasized the importance of capitalizing on rivals’ slip-ups, a lesson learned when both Liverpool and Manchester City lost in the same matchweek previously. With City falling to Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest defeating Liverpool, Arsenal had an opportunity to create a six-point gap. Historically, they have often faltered in such situations, but this season feels different.

The pre-match atmosphere was electric, marked by the unveiling of a new tifo celebrating Arsenal legends and an impressive display of fireworks that energized the crowd. The Gunners knew this was a pivotal moment and seized it, establishing a seven-point lead over City and an eleven-point advantage over the defending champions, Liverpool.

Despite the loss, Thomas Frank, Spurs’ manager for less than six months, faces mounting pressure. This defeat marked Frank’s fifth in 19 games and raised concerns among the fan base about his cautious tactics. Spurs had the opportunity to move into fourth place with a win, but their approach failed to instill confidence.

Upcoming fixtures present a crucial test for Frank. Following Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain, Spurs will host Fulham in what has now become a must-win game, followed by a tough matchup against Newcastle. If results do not improve, a home game against Brentford could prove decisive for Frank’s tenure.

Eze’s pivotal role in this match was almost predestined. The 27-year-old forward was reportedly close to joining Tottenham before he reached out to Arteta, who expressed interest in signing him after a key player suffered an injury. Eze, a lifelong Arsenal fan, chose Emirates Stadium over Spurs, leaving Tottenham’s plans in disarray.

Eze’s hat trick was a display of exceptional skill, making him the first player to achieve this feat in a North London derby since Alan Sunderland in 1978, and only the fourth in history. This performance serves as a stark reminder of what Tottenham missed out on, while Arsenal showcased their depth of talent.

In contrast, Xavi Simons, who was signed by Spurs, started on the bench and failed to influence the game positively when introduced during the second half.

Arsenal’s attacking prowess has been bolstered this season by the additions of Eze, Viktor Gyökeres, and Noni Madueke. However, it was the often-overlooked Trossard who set the tone for victory against Spurs with his crucial opener. The Belgium international, acquired from Brighton & Hove Albion for £27 million, has been a reliable contributor for Arteta, and his recent contract renewal underscores his significance to the squad.

As Arsenal continues their title pursuit, the integration of star players alongside valuable team members like Trossard will be essential in achieving their championship aspirations.