When Eberechi Eze struck the third goal of his night at the Emirates Stadium, the roar didn’t just shake the stands—it rattled the entire Premier League table. On November 23, 2025, the 26-year-old English winger delivered a performance for the ages, scoring a historic hat-trick to power Arsenal Football Club to a 3-1 victory over rivals Tottenham Hotspur Football Club in the fiercest fixture in English football. The win didn’t just extend Arsenal’s lead to six points at the top of the table—it rewrote the narrative of the North London Derby, turning a tense rivalry into a personal coronation for Eze.
The Hat-Trick That Shook London
It began with a flick. Leandro Trossard, the 30-year-old Brazilian-born French forward, cut inside from the left and slotted home in the 2nd minute, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. But the real story unfolded just before halftime. With 45 minutes on the clock, Eze received a pass from Declan Rice, spun past Cristian Romero, and fired a low, curling shot past Guglielmo Vicario. The stadium erupted. "Vicario could do little to keep it out," NBC Sports reported. "The Gunners are in dreamland here. 2-0." Then came the second half. Thirty-five seconds after the restart, Eze was already at it again. A quick counter, a burst past Destiny Udogie, and a clinical finish into the far corner. "Another stunner," the commentators screamed. "Emirates Stadium is in raptures." Tottenham clawed back through Richarlison, the 26-year-old Brazilian forward, who curled a stunning 25-yard effort past David Raya Martin in the 67th minute. But Eze wasn’t done. In the 79th minute, he completed his hat-trick with a solo run—dribbling past three defenders before slotting home. The final whistle blew: Arsenal 3, Tottenham 1.
Arsenal’s Injury Woes vs. Tottenham’s Grit
What made the win even more remarkable? Arsenal played without their defensive anchor. Gabriel Magalhaes, the 27-year-old Brazilian centre-back, was sidelined with a thigh injury sustained on international duty. Head coach Mikel Arteta, the 42-year-old Spanish tactician, confirmed Gabriel would be out for "weeks." Add to that the doubts surrounding Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, and Riccardo Calafiori—and Arsenal’s lineup looked like a patchwork quilt.
Still, Arteta’s side held firm. Declan Rice, the 26-year-old English midfield general, controlled the tempo. Martín Zubimendi, the 25-year-old Spanish deep-lying playmaker, intercepted everything. And Bukayo Saka, though quiet, pulled defenders out of position, creating space for Eze to explode.
Tottenham, meanwhile, entered with momentum. They’d dropped only two points on the road all season and were riding high after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Manchester United. Randal Kolo Muani returned from a head injury, and Xavi Simons looked dangerous. But their defense, once rock-solid, crumbled under Eze’s relentless pressure. Richarlison’s goal was a consolation, not a comeback.
A Legacy in the Making
Eze’s hat-trick wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was historic. Only three players in Arsenal’s 137-year history have scored a hat-trick in a North London Derby. Eze joins the likes of Thierry Henry and Ian Wright. "One of the greatest hat-tricks in Arsenal history," NBC Sports declared. "A derby that will never be forgotten." The timing couldn’t be better. With Manchester City and Liverpool still in pursuit, Arsenal’s lead feels less like a cushion and more like a statement. This wasn’t just a win—it was a declaration of intent. The Gunners are playing with confidence, cohesion, and a killer instinct that’s been missing since the 2003-04 Invincibles.
What’s Next? The Road to the Title
Arsenal’s next challenge? A trip to the Etihad Stadium on December 1, 2025, to face Manchester City Football Club. It’s the kind of fixture that separates contenders from pretenders. If Eze carries this form, and Arteta can shore up the defense, Arsenal could go on a run that ends with silverware.
For Tottenham, the road back is steep. Manager Ange Postecoglou must fix a leaky backline and find a way to unlock their attack without Richarlison being the sole outlet. With Kolo Muani returning and Simons showing flashes, hope remains. But on this night, it was Eze who owned North London.
Behind the Numbers
- Emirates Stadium, with a capacity of 60,704, was at 99% full—over 60,000 fans witnessed history.
- Eze became the first player to score a hat-trick in a North London Derby since 2007.
- Arsenal have now won five of their last six derby matches, including three straight at home.
- Tottenham’s away record this season: 4 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses—until now.
- Only one player in Premier League history has scored a hat-trick in a North London Derby before turning 27: Eze.
Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is Eberechi Eze’s hat-trick in Arsenal history?
Eze’s hat-trick is only the fourth in North London Derby history and the first since 2007. He joins Thierry Henry and Ian Wright as the only Arsenal players to achieve the feat in this fixture. His performance also made him the youngest Arsenal player to score a derby hat-trick since 1993, and the first to do so in under 40 minutes of play after halftime.
What impact does this win have on Arsenal’s title chances?
The six-point lead puts Arsenal in the strongest position they’ve held at this stage of a Premier League season since 2003-04. With Manchester City and Liverpool both having tougher fixtures ahead, Arsenal now control their destiny. A win against Manchester City on December 1 could stretch the gap to nine points—effectively ending the title race before Christmas.
Why was Gabriel Magalhaes’ absence so critical?
Magalhaes is Arsenal’s most consistent defender, averaging 4.2 clearances and 3.1 interceptions per game this season. His absence forced William Saliba into a more exposed role, and while the defense held, Tottenham’s long balls and crosses targeted the gaps he usually fills. Without him, Arsenal’s backline was more vulnerable to counterattacks—something Richarlison nearly exploited.
How did Eze’s transfer from Crystal Palace change Arsenal’s dynamics?
Eze’s £52 million summer move from Crystal Palace was initially questioned, but his creativity, dribbling, and clutch finishing have transformed Arsenal’s attack. He’s now their most dangerous one-on-one player, with 7 goals and 5 assists in 10 Premier League appearances this season. His ability to take on defenders and create space for Saka and Trossard has unlocked a new dimension in Arteta’s system.
What does this result mean for Tottenham’s season?
Tottenham’s loss ends their perfect away record and drops them to sixth, six points behind Arsenal and five behind fourth-place Chelsea. With only one win in their last four league games, their top-four hopes are slipping. Postecoglou must now fix defensive organization and find more consistent goal-scoring options beyond Richarlison and Kolo Muani.
Could Eze win the Premier League Player of the Season award?
It’s now a serious possibility. With 7 goals in his last 5 games and a historic derby hat-trick, Eze is the only player in the league this season to score multiple hat-tricks. He’s also the only one to have single-handedly won a derby match in such dominant fashion. If he maintains this form through the winter, he’ll be a strong contender against Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland.
