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

omidbasir- LONDON — Eberechi Eze made headlines by scoring the first league hat trick in a North London derby since 1978, propelling Arsenal to a decisive 4-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur. This victory extends the Gunners’ lead to six points atop the Premier League.

With title contenders Liverpool and Manchester City both suffering defeats on Saturday, Arsenal seized a crucial opportunity to distance themselves from their closest rivals. Following Leandro Trossard’s opening goal in the 36th minute, Eze took center stage, marking a historic moment with his outstanding performance.

Tottenham, who regrettably missed the chance to sign Eze after his departure from Crystal Palace in August, struggled to challenge their fierce rivals. Richarlison’s spectacular long-range goal provided only a fleeting moment of consolation for the Spurs.

This win positions Arsenal on a promising path toward their first league title since 2004, with their next challenge being an away match against Chelsea, who secured second place after a 2-0 victory at Burnley on the same day.

The significance of capitalizing on rivals’ setbacks was not lost on Mikel Arteta, who previously emphasized this point. With City faltering against Newcastle United and Liverpool falling to Nottingham Forest at Anfield, Arsenal seized the moment to establish a six-point lead over Chelsea.

The atmosphere leading up to the match was electric, highlighted by the unveiling of a tifo celebrating Arsenal legends and a dynamic pre-game video montage that energized the crowd. The Gunners approached the match with determination, ultimately expanding their lead to seven points over City and 11 over defending champions Liverpool.

Although no titles are claimed in November, Arsenal’s current form positions them as favorites for the championship. Their dominance in this fixture remains evident, with only one home defeat to Spurs in the last 32 years, the last being in 2010.

For Thomas Frank, who has been at the helm of Spurs for less than six months, this defeat adds pressure. Despite the potential to climb to fourth place, the match displayed a lack of promising moments for his squad except for Richarlison’s goal. Frank’s cautious, defensive tactics have garnered discontent among Spurs supporters.

This loss marks Frank’s fifth defeat in 19 matches, and he faces a challenging road ahead, including a UEFA Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain. Upcoming matches against Fulham and Newcastle will be critical, with the Brentford fixture potentially serving as a decisive moment for Frank’s tenure.

Eze’s impactful performance was particularly poignant given his near transfer to Tottenham during the summer. After contacting Arteta to gauge Arsenal’s interest, Eze made his preference clear, leading to his move to the Emirates Stadium.

In contrast, Tottenham turned to Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig, a decision that now appears questionable in light of Eze’s remarkable contributions. Eze’s hat trick, featuring three exceptional finishes, made him the first player to achieve this milestone in a North London derby since Alan Sunderland in 1978, showcasing Arsenal’s depth and leaving Tottenham to reflect on lost opportunities.

Arsenal’s attacking prowess has been bolstered this season with additions like Eze, Viktor Gyökeres, and Noni Madueke. However, it was Trossard, who opened the scoring, that played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s victory against Spurs. His goal marked his 10th contribution in all competitions, underscoring his value to the team. After nearly leaving Arsenal during the summer, Trossard signed a new contract, further cementing his importance in Arsenal’s title quest.