Published: 24 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.
Arsenal produced a commanding north London derby performance that showcased confidence, power and irresistible attacking fluency, with Eberechi Eze delivering a memorable hat-trick on his debut in this fierce rivalry. The dynamic playmaker controlled the match with ease, punishing a hesitant Tottenham side that never looked ready for the intensity demanded on such an occasion. His brilliance delighted home supporters who filled the stadium with anticipation long before kick-off, and the evening ended with a celebration that suggested a defining moment in a growing title challenge.
Tottenham entered the contest carrying disappointment from their failed pursuit of Eze during the previous summer. Their long negotiations had created heavy optimism around the club, yet Arsenal swept in late and secured the England international for £67.5m. That twist added an emotional layer to this matchup and left Spurs reflecting painfully on a deal that slipped away. The sting deepened dramatically as Eze delivered a performance of immense quality, becoming the star Tottenham once tried to secure and now desperately wish they had.
Before the match, Tottenham head coach Frank attempted humour when asked about the club’s inability to complete the signing. His light-hearted tone offered a brief distraction, but the wider significance became clear once Eze began dictating the entire rhythm. He later admitted it felt like fate, a word that hung over the events as Arsenal supporters welcomed him warmly and embraced his growing influence within their evolving identity.
The stadium unveiled a striking banner showing legendary figures including Thierry Henry, Tony Adams and Sol Campbell. Arsenal fans embraced their history with pride while placing Eze’s likeness among those who shaped their strongest eras. His impact suggested he could follow a similar path, and his growing connection with the supporters appeared natural as he walked proudly with the match ball after the final whistle.
Arsenal entered the match with confidence despite continued absences, including captain Martin Ødegaard and defensive leader Gabriel Magalhães. Their squad depth carried them through difficult moments this season, and that strength proved essential again. Piero Hincapié replaced Gabriel with calm assurance, offering another reminder that Arsenal now possess a squad capable of absorbing injuries without losing structure. This depth allowed Eze to thrive as the central creative force, reinforcing the belief that Ødegaard may face a genuine fight for his position upon returning.
Arsenal began aggressively with early combinations that exposed gaps in Tottenham’s shape. Eze displayed immediate sharpness with a delicate pass that found Declan Rice surging through midfield. Rice’s volley tested Guglielmo Vicario, who saved with his legs to prevent an early breakthrough. The intent behind the attack highlighted Arsenal’s confidence and signalled the tempo they wanted to control. The home side played with rhythm and purpose, exploiting space left by a static Spurs back line that struggled to adjust.
Eze’s movement created persistent problems because he drifted into areas where Tottenham lacked organisation. Arsenal’s first goal reflected their superiority, arriving through a calm finish from Leandro Trossard after a clever chipped pass from Mikel Merino. The stand-in centre-forward operated intelligently, linking midfield and attack with sharp decision-making that repeatedly stretched Tottenham’s defensive structure. His pass allowed Trossard to strike with precision, placing Arsenal firmly in control.
Tottenham never matched Arsenal’s intensity during the first half, and their cautious approach cost them heavily. Frank set his team up with a conservative back five that limited attacking ambition and invited pressure. Arsenal embraced the invitation and controlled possession with ease, moving the ball with confidence and manipulating space with consistent precision. The tactical contrast became striking as Spurs retreated deeper and allowed Arsenal to dictate every phase.
Eze’s first goal rewarded Arsenal’s dominance shortly before the interval. He collected a pass outside the penalty area where defenders retreated rather than challenged. His quick footwork produced an elegant strike that curved away from Vicario with controlled power. The finish raised the noise from the home crowd and reinforced the belief that Arsenal had built a team capable of challenging for the highest honours.
Tottenham attempted tactical change at half-time by abandoning the back five, yet the shift offered little improvement. Arsenal immediately exposed the fresh gaps opened by Spurs’ reshuffled structure. Within one minute of the restart, Eze claimed his second goal. He once again found space outside the area and reacted with sharp instinct, sending a precise strike into the corner as defenders remained rooted. The ease with which he exploited Tottenham’s shape highlighted a broader issue within their organisation and revealed a lack of urgency that concerned their supporters.
Rice embodied Arsenal’s physical dominance with a forceful challenge on Xavi Simons near midfield. He overpowered the substitute, earning a caution but illustrating the competitive edge driving Arsenal’s season. The moment captured the spirit shaping this team, as players refused to surrender even with a comfortable lead. Their relentlessness supported Eze’s creativity and allowed Arsenal to suffocate Tottenham’s attempts at recovery.
Eze completed his hat-trick with another composed finish after drifting unmarked into a familiar pocket of space. The absence of pressure allowed him to strike freely, leaving Vicario helpless again. The goal demonstrated the stark difference between the sides regarding organisation, energy and conviction. Tottenham offered little resistance and appeared overwhelmed by Arsenal’s speed and cohesion.
Spurs improved marginally after falling three goals behind, though the improvement reflected their earlier passivity rather than meaningful tactical clarity. Richarlison delivered a moment of individual brilliance with a long-range chip that caught David Raya far from goal. The strike provided temporary consolation, but it failed to disturb Arsenal’s broader dominance. Spurs remained disjointed and lacked the competitiveness required in a fixture defined by emotion, rivalry and intensity.
Arsenal supporters remained inside the stadium well beyond the final whistle. They watched as the players completed a celebratory lap, led by Rice and followed by Eze carrying the match ball with pride. The atmosphere suggested a collective recognition that this performance represented more than a derby victory. It felt like a statement about Arsenal’s intentions, confidence and maturity as a team seeking sustained success. Henry, observing from pundit duty, called the performance a blueprint for winning the league, a view many supporters shared as they celebrated beneath the bright lights of north London.
Tottenham walked away with heavy questions surrounding their ambitions and tactical direction. Their lack of fight during key phases proved costly, and their failure to match Arsenal’s energy exposed deeper concerns. The gap between the sides remains significant, not only in league points but also in quality, clarity and belief. Arsenal looked like a team ready to chase the title, while Spurs appeared uncertain and overwhelmed.
The match will be remembered for Eze’s landmark display, one shaped by style, precision and emotional significance. His hat-trick confirmed his arrival as a major force within Arsenal’s squad and perhaps within the league’s wider landscape. As he celebrated with supporters, it felt like a moment destined to be remembered for years, especially given Tottenham’s attempts to sign him only months earlier. Arsenal’s dominance extended far beyond the goals scored, and the unity shown throughout the stadium emphasised a growing belief that this season could deliver something special.
























































































