Eze’s Historic Hat Trick Leads Arsenal to Dominant North London Derby Victory

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

With title challengers Liverpool and Manchester City both suffering defeats on Saturday, this was a critical opportunity for Arsenal to distance themselves from their closest competitors. After Leandro Trossard opened the scoring for the Gunners in the 36th minute, Eze took center stage, marking the first Premier League hat trick in this historic fixture.

Tottenham, who missed out on signing Eze when he departed Crystal Palace in August, struggled to make an impact. Their only consolation came from Richarlison’s spectacular long-range goal, which proved insufficient against a dominant Arsenal side.

The victory keeps Arsenal’s hopes alive for their first title since 2004, with their next challenge being a trip to Chelsea, who secured a 2-0 win against Burnley on the same day.

Mikel Arteta emphasized the importance of capitalizing on rivals’ slip-ups, a sentiment echoed when both Liverpool and Manchester City lost in the same matchweek. This victory at the Emirates allowed Arsenal to extend their lead to six points over Chelsea at the top of the table, raising their confidence as they look to end a title drought that has lasted nearly two decades.

The pre-match atmosphere heightened the excitement, with a new tifo celebrating Arsenal legends and a fireworks display enhancing the experience for fans. The Gunners seized the moment, establishing a seven-point lead over City and an eleven-point advantage over the defending champions, Liverpool.

Despite not winning anything in November, Arsenal are undoubtedly emerging as front-runners for the title. Their dominance in this rivalry is evident, with only one home defeat to Spurs in the last 32 years, the last being in 2010.

On the other hand, Thomas Frank, who has been in charge of Spurs for less than six months, now faces increasing pressure following this disappointing defeat. Although a win could have propelled Spurs into fourth place, the team’s lackluster performance, aside from Richarlison’s striking goal, left much to be desired. Frank’s conservative tactics have drawn criticism from the Spurs fan base, adding to the scrutiny surrounding his leadership.

This defeat marks Frank’s fifth loss in 19 matches, and he must navigate a challenging schedule ahead. Following Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain, Spurs will face a must-win game against Fulham before confronting Newcastle. If results do not improve, Frank’s next fixture against Brentford could prove crucial for his tenure.

Eze’s significant impact in this match was perhaps inevitable, given his journey to Arsenal. Initially on the verge of joining Tottenham from Crystal Palace, Eze contacted Arteta to express his interest in signing with Arsenal after the team sought new players due to injuries. This decision not only fulfilled Eze’s lifelong dream but also left Spurs grappling with the implications of missing out on such a talented player.

Eze’s three remarkable goals further solidified his place in North London derby history as the first player to achieve a hat trick in this fixture since Alan Sunderland in 1978, and only the fourth in total. This performance highlights Arsenal’s depth of talent and serves as a stark reminder for Tottenham about what they let slip.

Contrastingly, Xavi Simons, who Spurs signed instead, started on the bench and failed to turn the tide when introduced. Arsenal’s impressive attacking lineup this season, bolstered by the arrivals of Eze, Viktor Gyökeres, and Noni Madueke, has elevated their prospects.

Trossard, a January 2023 signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, played a pivotal role in the victory, scoring the opening goal and contributing significantly to the team. Despite initial talks of leaving Arsenal, Trossard ultimately signed a new contract, underscoring his value to the squad and the importance of collective contributions in their quest for the title.