Arsenal produced a statement performance on Sunday, routing north London rivals Tottenham 4-1 as Eberechi Eze delivered a stunning first senior hat‑trick — the first derby treble since 1978 — and the Gunners moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League.
After a chastening draw at Sunderland two weeks earlier, Arsenal answered with authority. With Liverpool and Manchester City both suffering league defeats elsewhere, Mikel Arteta’s side ensured there would be no slip-up, dominating possession and chances: 17 attempts to Tottenham’s 3, and an expected‑goals figure that left Spurs with just 0.07. The solitary bright moment for the visitors came from Richarlison’s spectacular long‑range chip.
Eze, who had been linked with Spurs last summer, stole the show. He described the occasion as unforgettable and credited the club’s preparation and the squad’s work ethic for the performance. For a player who grew up an Arsenal supporter, the afternoon had extra resonance: released by Arsenal at 13 and passed over by several London clubs before making his breakthrough at QPR, Eze’s journey has been well documented — a resurfaced 2015 tweet and a pre‑match quip from Spurs manager Thomas Frank about how close Eze was to signing for them only added to the storyline.
Signed from Crystal Palace for a fee reported to be around £67m, Eze is quickly becoming integral to Arteta’s forward line. He has already made decisive contributions this season, from creating Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage‑time equaliser against Manchester City to scoring the winner at Palace. His blend of unpredictability, technical ability and increasing consistency has given Arsenal another attacking outlet.
Arteta praised Eze’s attitude after international duty, noting his eagerness to train, ask questions and improve — traits that, coupled with his natural talent, have translated into tangible results. Statistically Eze ranks among the most influential English players in the top flight this year: involved in 18 goals (10 scored, eight assisted), putting him close to the leading goal‑involvement figures in the league.
There are still many fixtures to play — 26 matches remain — and a six‑point cushion at this stage does not guarantee a title. Arsenal’s lead is historically notable, and teams in similar positions have often gone on to claim the championship, but past patterns are no guarantee. Chelsea sit second after a run of strong results, while Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are also well placed to push on. Liverpool, now 11 points behind, face a steep climb back into contention.
Concerns over absences such as Gabriel were eased by the squad’s depth. Heavy summer investment — numerous signings and a reported outlay approaching £250m — has helped Arsenal cope with injuries. One new face, Piero Hincapié, arrived on loan from Bayer Leverkusen with a sizeable option to buy and has already earned praise from Arteta for his combative performances and versatility, including at left‑back.
Eze’s derby hat‑trick will reverberate beyond a single result. Arsenal have momentum, attacking variety and reinforcements that lessen reliance on any one player. Whether any rival can sustain a challenge for the title remains uncertain, but for now the Gunners sit comfortably atop the table and, after a dominant display against their fiercest rivals, look well equipped to remain there.
