Philip Morrissey
Mon, Nov 24 2025
A hat-trick from Eberechi Eze has put Arsenal six points clear at the top of the league after Sunday afternoon’s encounter at the Emirates.
They took their time to get going, but a two-goal blast just before the break set them on their way. Eze then completed his first treble in the second half.
It was a lamentable showing from the away side, who have now lost their unbeaten streak on the road. A defensive set-up held out for so long, but they were left chasing shadows after it. Not even a Richarlison goal from all of 40 yards could bring much joy from it.
Mikel Arteta was forced into a change at the back due to an injury to Gabriel on international duty. Piero Hincapié came in for a rare start. Mikel Merino continued to deputise for Viktor Gyökeres up front. Thomas Frank made five changes and elected to go with five at the back and one up front in an attempt to match up with them physically.
That defensive mindset was almost broken within the first two minutes. Bukayo Saka was fouled out on the right wing, but Eberechi Eze retrieved the loose ball. He dinked a ball over the top which was met by a late run from Declan Rice. His volley was straight at Guglielmo Vicario, though.
Chances were at a premium despite that early opportunity, however. Spurs were content to scrap and block whenever Arsenal came forward. Too often the home side played into their hands with aimless sideways passing. It did not make for a thrilling watch for the neutral.
Saka did have two attempts from free-kicks that both went over the bar as the home side tried to force the issue. It appeared to be another game destined for a winner from a set piece, to the despair of fans.
All that changed on 36 minutes, though. Mikel Merino created space with an excellent turn and pass into the path of Leandro Trossard. The Belgian ran beyond the back of the defence and spun onto a shot that nestled in the bottom corner. It may have taken a deflection on the way in, but Tottenham were guilty of switching off.
And five minutes later they were punished again. They were unable to clear properly from a Saka shot and the ball fell to Rice. He laid it on for Eberechi Eze to drill a shot past Vicario. VAR cleared up any question regarding players standing in front of the keeper.
If Tottenham had any ideas of getting back into the game, they were extinguished just after the break. They were again guilty of losing the ball in a dangerous area of the pitch. It was shifted into the path of Eze and the former Crystal Palace star slotted into the bottom corner. He almost got another within a few minutes, but his whipped effort went just wide.
Then, out of the blue, Spurs struck back for a goal of their own. João Palhinha won the ball back in midfield and found Richarlison in space. The Brazilian spotted David Raya off his line and floated a superb effort from around 40 yards. That should have sparked them back into life, but it was Arsenal who looked more likely to score again.
And it was Eze who did so with the first senior hat-trick of his career, with about 15 minutes left. Trossard was again the supplier from out wide. He evaded the attention of three Tottenham players to slide a pass into the path of the winger. He ran onto it and slammed it into the top corner. All the more damaging, given Tottenham were expected to sign him before their neighbours pounced.
The game drifted to its inevitable conclusion as Spurs looked like beaten players. There were chances for Arsenal, who were unable to land another before the final whistle.
The home side’s title challenge continues as some of their rivals slipped up this weekend. They will face another London side with eyes on the top prize as they travel to Chelsea next Sunday. Tottenham must hope to recover as they take on another capital side in the guise of Fulham on Saturday.
Arsenal: David Raya Martin; Riccardo Calafiori (Myles Lewis-Skelly 90), Piero Hincapié Reyna, William Saliba, Jurriën Timber; Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice, Martín Zubimendi; Mikel Merino (Ethan Nwaneri 88), Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard (Chukwunonso Madueke 78).
Subs not used: Kepa, Benjamin White, Christian Nørgaard, Gabriel Martinelli Silva, Max Dowman.
Booked: Declan Rice (86).
Sent off: None**.**
Tottenham: Guglielmo Vicario; Kevin Danso (Xavier Simons 46), Diop Djed-Hotep Spence (Pedro Porro Sauceda 78), Cristian Romero, Iyenoma Udogie, Micky van de Ven; Rodrigo Bentancur Colmán (Randal Kolo Muani 68), João Palhinha; Richarlison, Mohammed Kudus (Brennan Johnson 78), Wilson Odobert (Pape Sarr 66).
Subs not used: Mathys Tel, Archie Gray, Antonín Kinský, Lucas Bergvall.
Booked: Rodrigo Bentancur Colmán (32), Cristian Romero (70), Pedro Porro Sauceda (87).
Sent off: None**.**
Referee: Robert Jones
Attendance: 60,345
extratime.com Player of the Match: Michael Oliver