Eze’s Historic Hat Trick Leads Arsenal to Dominant Victory Over 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 commanding 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. This decisive win positions the Gunners six points ahead at the top of the Premier League.

With rivals Liverpool and Manchester City both suffering defeats on Saturday, Arsenal seized a significant opportunity to extend their lead. Leandro Trossard kicked off the scoring for Arsenal in the 36th minute, before Eze took center stage, etching his name into the history books with his remarkable performance.

Tottenham Hotspur, who missed out on acquiring Eze when he departed Crystal Palace in August, struggled to pose a significant threat to their rivals. The only highlight for Spurs came from Richarlison’s spectacular long-range goal, which provided little consolation.

This victory keeps Arsenal on track for their first league title since 2004, with their next challenge being an away match against Chelsea, who climbed to second place following a 2-0 win against Burnley on Saturday.

The importance of capitalizing on rivals’ missteps cannot be overstated, as highlighted by Mikel Arteta after both Liverpool and Manchester City lost in the same matchweek back in October. With City falling to Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest defeating Liverpool at Anfield, Arsenal had a prime opportunity to widen their lead at the top of the table.

The pre-match atmosphere was electric, marked by the unveiling of a new tifo celebrating Arsenal legends and a video montage that ignited excitement among the crowd. Knowing this was their chance to establish a strong lead, the Gunners responded impressively, creating a seven-point gap to City and an eleven-point cushion over defending champions Liverpool.

While the season is still young, Arsenal has emerged as the favorites for the title, continuing their dominant record in this fixture with just one home defeat to Spurs in the last 32 years, the last occurring in 2010.

Thomas Frank, having been at the helm of Spurs for less than six months and overseeing fewer than 20 games, now faces mounting pressure following this loss at the Emirates. The defeat in the North London derby is particularly stinging, especially given the lack of positive signs for his squad, aside from Richarlison’s remarkable goal.

Although a victory could have propelled Spurs into fourth place, such an outcome never felt likely. Frank’s cautious, defensive tactics have drawn criticism from the Spurs fan base, and this match marked his fifth defeat in 19 games. As Spurs face a challenging schedule ahead, including a UEFA Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain and a crucial fixture against Fulham, Frank is in dire need of results.

Eze’s pivotal role in this match seemed inevitable. The 27-year-old was on the verge of transferring to Tottenham from Crystal Palace during the summer when he reached out to Arteta to inquire about Arsenal’s interest. Following a serious injury sustained by Kai Havertz, Arteta responded affirmatively, leading Eze to favor a move to the Emirates.

Tottenham’s plans were disrupted, and they eventually signed Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig instead, making Eze’s performance a painful reminder of what they missed.

Eze’s three exceptional finishes not only secured Arsenal’s victory but also established him as the first player to score a hat trick in a North London derby since Alan Sunderland in 1978, marking him as only the fourth player to achieve this feat.

Arsenal’s attacking depth was on full display this season, particularly with the additions of Eze, Viktor Gyökeres, and Noni Madueke. Yet, it was Trossard, the unsung hero, who set the Gunners on their path to victory against Spurs. The Belgium international, who joined from Brighton & Hove Albion for £27 million in January 2023, has been a reliable asset but often finds himself on the bench for major matches. However, his crucial opener in the 36th minute marked his 10th goal contribution across all competitions, leading the team.

Having nearly departed Arsenal in the summer, Trossard instead opted to sign a new contract, underscoring his importance to the squad as they strive for title glory.