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

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

With title contenders Liverpool and Manchester City both suffering defeats on Saturday, the stage was set for Arsenal to extend their lead over the two teams most likely to challenge for the title. After Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the 36th minute, Eze showcased his exceptional talent by netting three goals, marking the first Premier League hat trick in this rivalry’s history.

Tottenham, who had missed the opportunity to sign Eze after his departure from Crystal Palace in August, struggled to pose a significant threat to their rivals. Richarlison’s impressive long-range strike provided only a fleeting moment of consolation.

This victory keeps Arsenal firmly on track for their first league title since 2004, with their next challenge being an away match against Chelsea, who secured the second position following a 2-0 win against Burnley on Saturday. — Mark Ogden

Mikel Arteta emphasized the importance of capitalizing on opportunities presented by their rivals’ missteps. As Liverpool lost to Nottingham Forest and Manchester City fell to Newcastle United, Arsenal seized the moment to secure a six-point advantage over Chelsea at the top of the table. Historically, such chances have been squandered by Arsenal, but the current season feels different.

The atmosphere preceding the match was electrifying, highlighted by the unveiling of a new tifo featuring Arsenal legends. The players’ entrance was celebrated with a video montage and a display of fireworks, energizing the crowd.

With this victory, Arsenal has established a significant seven-point lead over Manchester City and an eleven-point advantage over defending champions Liverpool. While no titles are awarded in November, Arsenal appears to be the favorite to clinch their first championship in nearly two decades. Their dominance in this fixture continues, with only one home defeat to Tottenham in the last 32 years, which occurred in 2010. — James Olley

Thomas Frank’s tenure at Spurs has lasted less than six months, during which he has managed fewer than 20 games. However, following this defeat at the Emirates, he enters a precarious position. Losing to Arsenal is always challenging for Spurs; aside from Richarlison’s beautiful goal, the match offered little in terms of positives for Frank’s side.

Despite the opportunity to ascend to fourth place with a victory, Spurs never seemed close to achieving that goal. Frank’s conservative tactics have sparked growing discontent among the fanbase. This loss marked Frank’s fifth defeat in 19 matches, prompting the urgent need for a turnaround in the league. Spurs face a string of challenging fixtures, including an upcoming UEFA Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain, followed by a must-win home game against Fulham, and a trip to Newcastle. Should Frank remain under pressure after these encounters, the following match against Brentford at home could become a decisive test for his coaching future. — Ogden

Eze’s pivotal role in the match was perhaps expected. The 27-year-old was poised to join Tottenham from Crystal Palace last summer when he reached out to Arteta to gauge Arsenal’s interest. With Kai Havertz suffering a serious hamstring injury, Arteta informed Eze that they would make a bid. As a lifelong Arsenal supporter, Eze expressed his preference to move to the Emirates Stadium, ultimately leading to his transfer.

Tottenham’s plans were disrupted, leading them to sign Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig instead. Missing out on Eze was a painful loss for Spurs, and the repercussions were felt acutely during this match.

Eze’s three goals were exquisite, making him the first player to achieve a hat trick in a North London derby since Alan Sunderland in 1978 and only the fourth in history. This performance highlights Arsenal’s strength in depth while serving as a harsh reminder to Spurs of what they missed out on.

In contrast, Simons began on the bench as Frank opted for a more physical approach from the outset. His introduction at halftime, however, did little to alter Tottenham’s fortunes. — Olley

Arsenal boasts an impressive array of attacking talent this season, especially following the additions of Eze, Viktor Gyökeres, and Noni Madueke to Arteta’s squad. However, it was the often-overlooked Trossard who set the tone for victory against Spurs.

The Belgian international, a £27 million acquisition from Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2023, has consistently proven to be a reliable asset for Arteta, even if he rarely features in the biggest matches. Yet, Arteta entrusted Trossard with a start against Spurs, and his opener in the 36th minute marked his tenth goal contribution in all competitions, leading the team.

The 30-year-old came close to leaving Arsenal during the summer but chose to extend his stay after securing a pay rise. His continued presence underscores his importance to the team and highlights the necessity of contributions from all players, not just the headline names, if Arsenal aspires to win the title.