Eberechi Eze Hat-Trick Powers Arsenal to 4-1 North London Derby Win Over Tottenham

When Eberechi Eze stepped onto the pitch at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, November 23, 2025, few expected him to rewrite the script of one of football’s fiercest rivalries. But by the final whistle, he’d done exactly that — scoring a hat-trick to lead Arsenal Football Club to a crushing 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur Football Club in Matchweek 12 of the 2025/2026 Premier League season. The win wasn’t just another three points. It was a statement. A statement that Arsenal, now with 29 points from 12 games, are serious title contenders. And a statement that Tottenham’s away record against their neighbors is becoming a nightmare.

The Derby That Broke the Spell

The atmosphere at Emirates Stadium crackled before kickoff. Fans on both sides knew what was at stake: pride, history, and a top-four push. But from the 12th minute, when Eze curled a left-footed shot past Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, the mood shifted. The home crowd erupted. The away end fell silent. By halftime, it was 3-0. Eze’s second came from a counterattack, weaving through three defenders like they were statues. His third, a penalty in the 68th minute, sealed his hat-trick and turned the match into a coronation.

The only blemish for Arsenal? A late consolation goal from Tottenham’s James Maddison in the 84th minute — a moment of fleeting hope for the visitors. But even that couldn’t mask the gulf in quality. Michael Oliver, the referee, had a quiet evening — only two yellow cards, both to Tottenham players — as Arsenal controlled possession, tempo, and territory.

A History of Heartbreak for Spurs

This wasn’t just a win. It was the 32nd straight Premier League match without a Tottenham victory at Emirates Stadium. The last time Spurs won here? Back in 2018. Since then, they’ve drawn three times and lost 29. The numbers don’t lie: in the last decade, Arsenal have scored 67 goals against Tottenham at home; Spurs have managed just 17. The psychological weight is crushing. As NBC Sports noted, “Spurs have won on just one of their last 32 league visits to the Gunners.” That’s not bad luck. That’s a pattern.

Tottenham’s manager, Thomas Frank, admitted post-match that his team was “outclassed.” He apologized to supporters — a rare move for a manager under pressure — but refused to blame his defensive structure. “We didn’t lose because of the shape,” Frank said. “We lost because we didn’t compete. We didn’t fight. We didn’t show up.” His words carried more weight than any tactical analysis.

What Happened on the Pitch?

Arsenal’s midfield trio of Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, and Jorginho dictated play with surgical precision. Rice, in particular, was a revelation — intercepting six passes, winning 12 duels, and laying off the assist for Eze’s second goal. Bukayo Saka, meanwhile, was a constant threat on the left, drawing fouls and creating space. Arsenal’s 72% possession was the highest they’ve had in a derby since 2020.

Tottenham, by contrast, looked disjointed. Their high press was easily bypassed. Their center-back pairing of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven were repeatedly exposed by through balls. And when substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly replaced Riccardo Calafiori in the 92nd minute, it was less about tactical adjustment and more about seeing out the game.

The Bigger Picture: Where This Leaves Both Teams

For Arsenal, this win moves them into second place in the Premier League table — just two points behind leaders Manchester City. They’ve now gone unbeaten in their last 10 league games. The defense has conceded just six goals all season. The attack? Scoring at a rate of 2.4 goals per game. This isn’t a fluke. This is a team building something special.

Tottenham? They’re stuck in eighth, tied on points with Manchester United and Liverpool — but with a worse goal difference. Their last four league games have yielded just two wins. And with a tough run ahead — away to Chelsea, then home to Manchester United — Frank’s job security is starting to look shaky. The club’s board reportedly held an emergency meeting after the match. No decision has been made… yet.

What Comes Next?

Arsenal travel to face West Ham next Sunday. Tottenham host Brighton. But the real question isn’t about those fixtures. It’s about morale. Can Tottenham recover from this? Can they find a spark before January? And for Arsenal — can they sustain this level over the next 26 games? The answer may lie in Eze. The 27-year-old, signed from Crystal Palace in 2023, has now scored 11 goals in 15 appearances this season. He’s no longer a squad player. He’s a match-winner. And in North London, that’s everything.

For fans watching on Peacock Premium, the match was a masterclass in attacking football. For those who missed it, NBC Sports’ YouTube highlights — titled “Relive full-match highlights from Arsenal’s showdown against bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates in Matchweek 12” — have already surpassed 4.2 million views. The world watched. And now, everyone knows: the balance of power in North London has shifted again.