Eberechi Eze Shines in North London Derby as Arsenal Triumphs

omidbasir- Eberechi Eze’s move from Crystal Palace to Arsenal this summer for £67.5 million ($88 million) generated significant excitement among fans regarding his potential impact on Mikel Arteta’s attacking strategy. While Eze displayed promising performances, supporters eagerly anticipated a breakout moment, which finally arrived during Arsenal’s 4-1 victory against Tottenham on Sunday.

As a lifelong Arsenal fan, Eze expressed his joy at both his performance and the team’s triumph over their historic rivals. In an interview with Sky Sports, he stated, “That’s a good feeling. It was an enjoyable day; I’m happy to help the team. Winning today is special. I’m grateful again—this is what I pray for. I prayed for it today, a hat-trick, and I got it, so I’m thankful to God.”

Manager Mikel Arteta echoed Eze’s enthusiasm following the North London derby win. In his comments to BBC’s Match of the Day, he remarked, “It’s a very special day for us. We understood the significance of the match and its meaning to our fans. Being able to offer them this joy is a beautiful experience. We dominated every aspect of the game, created numerous chances, and maintained patience. Whoever we put on the field fulfills their roles effectively. This squad possesses the belief and quality required for consistent success.”

Former Tottenham manager and player Tim Sherwood has suggested that Eze could claim a starting position in next year’s World Cup, highlighting his suitability for the number 10 role, despite competition from notable players like Jude Bellingham, Chelsea’s Palmer, and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers. Sherwood commented on the excitement surrounding Eze’s hat-trick, stating, “While we might get carried away due to his performance today, it’s a significant moment for Eze and Arsenal. If asked who the most talented number 10 is in central play, I would choose Eze. He’s quick, versatile with both feet, possesses vision—he is the most talented number 10 we have in England. If we adapt a number 10 in the World Cup, it should be Eze.”

When questioned about scoring against a Tottenham team he nearly joined this summer, Eze was somewhat evasive, yet Sherwood commended his professionalism. He noted, “Credit to the boy; he seemed unfazed by the atmosphere. He understands the surrounding noise of the game, and he took it in stride. Great players handle such pressure.”

While Arteta was naturally pleased with Eze’s contributions, he noted that the former Queens Park Rangers star could have tallied even more goals. Nevertheless, he values having a player capable of generating “magic moments”. Arteta mentioned to BBC Sport, “His performance today highlights both his talent and the challenges he faced. To be fair, he could have scored four or five. He is a significant player who can create opportunities that disrupt opposing teams. We controlled the match and had ample chances. Our squad possesses the belief and quality to deliver consistently. We have good momentum, yet every Premier League game is a challenge. Let’s take it one game at a time—enjoy tonight’s victory and prepare for Bayern [Munich] and Chelsea ahead.”

While Arsenal has successfully navigated one formidable challenge, they now prepare for an even more daunting test against a formidable Bayern Munich side in the Champions League on Wednesday, followed by an away fixture against second-placed Chelsea in the Premier League.