Spurs' Wound: Arsenal's 4-1 Demolition in Numbers
Thomas Frank's Tottenham Hotspur side arrived at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, carrying the weight of a 18-month winless streak in the North London derby. Their last victory in this fixture dated back to May 2022, and they were looking to break that drought.
However, it wasn't meant to be, as they suffered a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal, with Eberechi Eze scoring a hat-trick...
Arsenal's North London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur was a resounding 4-1 victory, with Eberechi Eze scoring a brilliant hat-trick. This win extends Arsenal's unbeaten streak against their rivals to seven matches, with a goal difference of 17 goals scored and seven conceded.
Tottenham Hotspur, on the other hand, had a dismal performance, failing to win a North London derby in the Premier League since May 2022. Their struggles were evident, with only one shot on target in the first half. Eze's decision to join Arsenal instead of Tottenham proved to be a masterstroke, as he led the Gunners to a convincing win.
Match Statistics
- Arsenal: 4 goals, 13 shots on target
- Tottenham Hotspur: 1 goal, 3 shots on target
Key Players
- Eberechi Eze: Hat-trick, 1 assist
- Leandro Trossard: 1 goal, 1 assist
- Declan Rice: 1 assist
Arsenal's dominance in the North London derby continues, with this win strengthening their position at the top of the Premier League table.
Spurs and Arsenal Make Changes Ahead of North London Derby
Tottenham made five changes to their lineup, with Destiny Udogie, Kevin Danso, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, and Wilson Odobert all getting starts. This is their biggest shake-up before a North London derby since 2017. Meanwhile, Arsenal made just one change, with Piero Hincapie making his first English top-flight start against Spurs, becoming the first Arsenal player to do so against their rivals since Mohamed Elneny in 2016.
Arsenal's dominance was clear from the get-go, with three attempts on goal in the first 10 minutes, while Tottenham struggled to get into the game. Odobert and Richarlison were barely involved, with the latter yet to touch the ball.
William Saliba was impressive for Arsenal, completing 34 of 36 passes, showcasing the team's control. Meanwhile, Destiny Udogie was working hard for Spurs, making four tackles in the opening half hour - the most of any player on the pitch.
Spurs' Defensive Weakness Exposed
Arsenal's dominance continued, with two more shots on goal showcasing their control of the game. The breakthrough came when Leandro Trossard opened the scoring, thanks to a magnificent pass from Mikel Merino, who attempted 26 passes during the game. Spurs' weakness was exposed, conceding in the 15 minutes before half-time, a period where they've conceded six goals in 2025/26, more than any other Premier League club.
Tottenham's chances seemed slim as they trailed behind, given their poor record of 0 wins in 19 matches when conceding first. The visitors were struggling to create any attacking opportunities, with no shots on or off target just before halftime. Even creative player Mohammed Kudus was unusually quiet, adding to the team's struggles.
Spurs' Woeful Display
Tottenham's first half was one of the worst in their Premier League season, failing to attempt a single shot on or off target. This marked the second time this season they'd failed to get a shot in a first half, a worrying stat for Thomas Frank's side. Their struggles were evident, with only four touches in the Arsenal box - two from Kevin Danso and two from Xavi Simons.
Arsenal's Eberechi Eze was unstoppable in the North London derby, scoring his fourth goal in eight appearances against Spurs. This impressive feat made him the first Englishman to score in his first North London derby in the league for Arsenal since Ian Wright and Kevin Campbell in 1991.
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Eze's hat-trick, which included goals before and after halftime, helped Arsenal dominate the match, ultimately leading to a 4-1 victory. His performance was a testament to his skill and determination, cementing his place as a key player for the Gunners.
Spurs' Comeback Hopes Dashed
Eberechi Eze's second goal, just a minute into the second half, crushed any hopes Thomas Frank's side had of staging a comeback. This was Eze's second goal of the match, and his last brace had been against Tottenham back in May when he was still at Crystal Palace.
Arsenal's Continued Dominance
The hosts continued to pile on the pressure, with Declan Rice ensuring that Spurs had no attacking outlet. The game was all but over, with Eze's hat-trick soon to follow, sealing a convincing 4-1 win for Arsenal.
Tottenham got a lifeline when Richarlison's long-range shot found the net in the 54th minute, their first shot of the match. This goal gave Spurs some hope, but it was a case of too little, too late. The goal was impressive, though - at 35.3 yards out, it was the furthest scored in the Premier League this season.
Richarlison's strike was not only a great goal but also a rare highlight in an otherwise disappointing performance by Spurs. It was the second furthest goal scored in a North London derby since 2006/07, after David Bentley's strike in October 2008 (35.7 yards).
Eberechi Eze's Historic Hat-Trick
Eberechi Eze made history by scoring a hat-trick in Arsenal's 4-1 win over Tottenham in the North London derby, becoming the first player to achieve this feat in the Premier League era. Eze's impressive performance included contesting 12 one-on-one duels, winning just three, but ultimately sealing the win with his third goal.
Eze's hat-trick was the first in a North London derby since Alan Sunderland in 1978, and only the fourth time in history, after Ted Drake (October 1934) and Terry Dyson (August 1961). This remarkable achievement cements Eze's place in Arsenal's history books.
Arsenal dominated the game, taking 15 shots at goal before Eze's hat-trick goal ended the contest. Eze's performance was a testament to his skill and determination, making him a key player for Arsenal.
Eberechi Eze made history by scoring the 400th hat-trick in Premier League history, becoming the 23rd player to achieve this feat for Arsenal. This impressive performance helped Arsenal secure a 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, extending their lead at the top of the table to six points.
The win also highlighted Arsenal's dominance, with no team having more different hat-trick scorers in the competition. Eze's hat-trick was the first in a North London derby since Alan Sunderland in 1978, showcasing his exceptional skill and talent.
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