Eberechi Eze’s Historic Hat Trick Powers Arsenal Past Spurs

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

With title contenders Liverpool and Manchester City both suffering defeats on Saturday, Arsenal seized a significant opportunity to widen the gap. Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the 36th minute, setting the stage for Eze’s historic performance, which marked the first Premier League hat trick in this historic rivalry.

Tottenham Hotspur struggled to pose a significant threat to their local rivals, with Richarlison’s stunning long-range goal providing little consolation amidst a disappointing defeat. Arsenal’s win keeps them on track for their first league title since 2004, with their next challenge being a match against Chelsea, who currently sit in second place following a 2-0 victory over Burnley.

The importance of capitalizing on rivals’ missteps was highlighted by Mikel Arteta, reinforcing the significance of this win. Arsenal’s remarkable performance allowed them to establish a six-point lead over Chelsea and an eleven-point gap over the defending champions, Liverpool.

The pre-match atmosphere in the Emirates Stadium was electric, featuring a new tifo honoring Arsenal legends and a fireworks display that energized the crowd. The Gunners recognized this as a critical chance to assert their dominance at the top of the table.

Despite this loss, Spurs’ manager Thomas Frank finds himself in a precarious position after only six months in charge. While losing to Arsenal is always a bitter pill for Spurs fans, the team’s lack of offensive momentum, aside from Richarlison’s goal, left little to celebrate. Frank’s conservative tactics have drawn criticism from the fanbase, and with challenging fixtures ahead—beginning with a UEFA Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain—pressure is mounting for the coach.

Eze’s pivotal role in the match is particularly noteworthy. The 27-year-old was on the verge of signing with Tottenham before reaching out to Arteta, who expressed interest in acquiring him following an injury to Kai Havertz. Eze’s decision to join Arsenal has proven beneficial, culminating in a spectacular hat trick that serves as a painful reminder of what Spurs missed.

All three of Eze’s finishes showcased his exceptional talent, making him the first player since Alan Sunderland to achieve such a feat in this fixture, and only the fourth overall. This performance exemplifies Arsenal’s depth and highlights the consequences of Spurs’ missed opportunity.

Arsenal’s attacking prowess has been bolstered 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. The Belgian international, a £27 million signing from Brighton, has proved to be a valuable asset for Arteta. His opener against Tottenham was his tenth goal contribution this season, underscoring his importance to the squad as they pursue the title.