LONDON — Eberechi Eze scored the primary league hat trick in a North London derby since 1978 to encourage Arsenal to a 4-1 win in opposition to Tottenham Hotspur, which strikes the Gunners six factors clear on the prime of the Premier League.
After seeing title challengers Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis each lose Saturday, this was an enormous alternative for Arsenal to maneuver away from the 2 groups most definitely to disclaim them the title. And after Leandro Trossard opened the scoring for the Gunners within the Thirty sixth minute, Eze took over to make historical past with the primary Premier League hat trick on this fixture.
Spurs, who missed out on Eze when the England ahead left Crystal Palace in August, failed to bother their large rivals, with Richarlison‘s spectacular long-range aim providing them scant comfort.
The win retains Arsenal heading in the right direction for his or her first title since 2004, and their subsequent check is a visit to Chelsea, who moved into the second spot with a 2-0 win at Burnley on Saturday. — Mark Ogden
Arsenal make assertion of title intent
The weekends when your rivals slip up actually matter. Mikel Arteta identified the significance of precisely that the final time each Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis misplaced in the identical matchweek again in October, and Arsenal capitalized as soon as once more right here.
With Metropolis crushed at Newcastle United hours after Nottingham Forest defeated Liverpool at Anfield, Arsenal had the chance to open up a six-point hole to Chelsea on the prime of the desk. Traditionally, it’s a probability they’ve usually spurned, however issues really feel completely different this time.
The prematch hype went to a different degree. A brand new tifo that includes Arsenal legends previous and current was unveiled because the gamers walked out, whereas a video montage and a cluster of fireworks did their greatest to whip the group right into a frenzy.
The Gunners knew this was an excellent alternative to drag clear on the prime, they usually did simply that, going seven forward of Metropolis and 11 in entrance of defending champions Liverpool.
Nothing is received in November, however there might be little question Arsenal are presently favorites to win their first title since 2004. Their dominance on this fixture continues: only one residence defeat to Spurs in 32 years, and that got here manner again in 2010. — James Olley
Strain constructing on Frank
Thomas Frank has been at Spurs for lower than six months, taking cost of fewer than 20 video games in all competitions, however the former Brentford coach is now coming into harmful territory after this defeat on the Emirates. Dropping to Arsenal is at all times a painful expertise for Spurs within the North London derby, however except for Richarlison’s gorgeous aim, this was a defeat with none type of shining mild for Frank’s facet.
Though Spurs may have moved into fourth place with a win on this sport, such an end result by no means appeared seemingly. And the safety-first, defensive techniques deployed by Frank may have added to the rising sense of displeasure along with his strategy among the many Spurs fan base.
This was Frank’s fifth defeat in 19 video games, and he actually wants to show a nook within the league. Nonetheless, Spurs have some troublesome fixtures forward. After Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League journey to Paris Saint-Germain, Spurs face Fulham at residence — a must-win sport now — earlier than going through Newcastle at St James’ Park. And if Frank continues to be beneath strain after that sport, his subsequent one is Brentford at residence, which can find yourself being a vastly essential — and perhaps decisive — check for the under-pressure coach. — Ogden
Eze reopens wound for Spurs
It was most likely inevitable that Eze would play a serious function within the end result right here.
The 27-year-old was getting ready to becoming a member of Tottenham from Crystal Palace in the summertime when he rang Arteta to test whether or not Arsenal have been curious about signing him, as had been reported. Feeling an urge to reenter the market after Kai Havertz suffered a severe hamstring harm, Arteta informed Eze they’d make a bid, and the lifelong Arsenal fan informed Palace of his choice, getting his transfer to Emirates Stadium.
Spurs’ plans have been left in tatters, and as an alternative they signed Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig. Lacking out on Eze felt painful for Tottenham on the time, and Sunday reopened that wound.
Eze’s three finishes have been all elegant, and Arsenal’s No. 10 grew to become the primary participant to attain a hat trick in a North London derby since Alan Sunderland in 1978 and solely the fourth all time. It’s one other devastating advert for Arsenal’s energy in depth, and for Spurs, a brutal reminder of what they missed out on.
In contrast, Simons began on the bench as Frank prioritized physicality from the outset, and his halftime introduction did nothing to enhance Tottenham’s fortunes. — Olley
Trossard is Arsenal’s unsung hero
Arsenal are stacked with attacking expertise this season, particularly after including Eze, Viktor Gyökeres and Noni Madueke to Arteta’s squad, but it surely was the unsung Trossard who set them on their approach to victory in opposition to Spurs.
The Belgium worldwide, a £27 million signing from Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2023, has at all times been a dependable outlet for Arteta, however he hardly ever begins the largest video games for the Gunners. But Arteta handed Trossard a begin in opposition to Spurs, and his Thirty sixth-minute opener was his tenth aim contribution in all competitions, which leads the crew.
The 30-year-old got here near leaving Arsenal in the summertime however ended up signing a brand new contract after being handed a pay rise. That deal factors to his significance to the crew and underlined why his contribution, mixed with the star gamers who often get the headlines, shall be essential if Arsenal are to win the title. — Ogden
