Eberechi Eze scored a majestic hat-trick for Arsenal as they trounced north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 to open up a commanding six-point lead at the top of the Premier League on Sunday.
For 36 minutes the North London derby at Emirates Stadium was a cagey contest with Tottenham managing to frustrate Mikel Arteta’s side, but the hosts struck three times in 10 minutes either side of halftime.
Leandro Trossard broke the deadlock from close range before Eze, the player Arsenal snatched from Tottenham in a summer transfer tussle, rifled in Arsenal’s second after 41 minutes.
The second half was only seconds old when Eze again found space on the edge of the area to dispatch another shot inside the post and put his side in complete control.
Tottenham got a lifeline out of the blue in stunning fashion in the 55th minute when Richarlison lobbed Arsenal keeper David Raya from near the centre circle.
The visitors were more of a threat in the second half but Arsenal never really looked troubled and Eze completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with another clinical finish.
Arsenal, unbeaten in nine league games, have 29 points from 12 games, with second-placed Chelsea on 23. Tottenham’s first away league defeat of the season left them ninth on 18 points.
**Reuters**