ARSENAL 4-1 TOTTENHAM: The Gunners romped to victory in the North London Derby as Eberechi Eze scored a stunning hat-trick to put them six points clear at the top
Thomas Frank endured a miserable first North London Derby as Tottenham boss
Thomas Frank endured a miserable first North London Derby as Tottenham boss
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Eberechi Eze had already written his name into Arsenal folklore by turning down Tottenham to move to the Emirates in the summer.
But this was the day when he took his cult hero status to a whole new level with a hat trick and a match winning performance to stamp Arsenal’s authority all over the title race.
Mind the gap? Arsenal did not just embarrass Tottenham but they also put themselves six points clear at the top, seven ahead of third-placed Manchester City and 11 above reigning champions Liverpool.
Blimey, imagine if Arsenal had their best team out. They were missing at least three key players - Gabriel, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Odegaard - from their starting line-up and were still a class apart.
Tottenham - apart from a brief spell after Richarlison’s wonder goal - were so poor that no wonder there are murmurings from even the most loyal Spurs fans about Thomas Frank.
Have they got the right man? Frank went three at the back - which was so defensive it had both full backs tucking in - and abandoned that at half time.
When they went 2-0 down, several Tottenham players turned to the bench with their body language almost saying: “What now?” They looked as if they had given up.
How they could have done with a player like Eze. He owned this game. Took it by the scruff of the neck and dazzled his own unique blend of stardust all over the pitch. He was sensational.
Eze, 27, has been good since his £67.5m move from Crystal Palace. There have been lovely flashes. But the hype was so big in the summer that it was always going to be hard to live up those expectations straight away.
But this was the day where he showed what he is really all about. He glided across the pitch. Not only did he show great skill and awareness, he also showed his strength and power with his goals.
Eberechi Eze of Arsenal celebrates
This was the stuff of dreams for boyhood Arsenal fan Eberechi Eze
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As fairytales go, this was the stuff of dreams. Eze grew up an Arsenal fan, was released as a kid but has fought his way back to win the biggest game of all. What a hero.
At the final whistle, the away end was virtually empty. Good job. They missed the celebrations. Arsenal fans lapped it up. Eze was at the heart of the party. Bukayo Saka was dancing and loving every minute.
This is a huge week for Arsenal. Their main rivals slipped up on Saturday and Arsenal had drawn their last game at Sunderland. This was a test of their resolve. Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea. So far, so good.
They were so dominant in the first half but took a while to break through. Mikel Merino, standing in for Gyokeres, played in Leandro Trossard who had time to turn and then his shot was deflected in off Micky van de Ven.
It was 2-0 just five minutes later. Jurrien Timber’s cross was only half cleared by Kevin Danso’s header, Declan Rice’s clever touch set up Eze who drove his way through and then his shot flew into the bottom corner with Vicario well beaten.
Tottenham players looked frustrated and dejected as Arsenal ran riot
Tottenham players looked frustrated and dejected as Arsenal ran riot
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It was no surprise that Frank switched from a back three system, bringing on Xavi Simons for Danso.
But Arsenal went 3-0 up after the restart. Timber’s through ball found Eze and he guided a brilliant low shot into the bottom corner and beyond Vicario.
Arsenal then let their standards slip. Martin Zubimendi was caught in possession. Joao Palhinha fabulous tackle won the ball and Richarlison’s incredible chip from inside the centre circle caught David Raya off his line. It was a goal out of keeping with the rest of his team’s performance.
But of course it was Eze who put the game to bed. Trossard’s pass found Eze and his composure and class helped his sidestep the Spurs defence and then he buried a shot into the bottom corner.