It wasn't just a win. It was a statement. Eberechi Eze turned Emirates Stadium into a cauldron of noise with a hat-trick that left Tottenham Hotspur stunned and Arsenal flying high. The 4-1 thrashing on Sunday, November 23, 2025, wasn’t just another derby—it was the most brutal display of dominance in this rivalry in years. Eze, the Nigerian-born English winger, didn’t just score. He dismantled Tottenham’s defense like it was a training drill, netting in the 32nd, 36th, and 41st minutes. By halftime, the game was over. The final whistle at 90+5 minutes sealed it: Emirates Stadium had spoken, and its voice was deafening.
The Eze Effect: A Hat-Trick for the Ages
Three goals. Three minutes of pure, unadulterated chaos. The first came after a slick one-two with Mikel Arteta’s midfield maestro, Martin Ødegaard. Eze cut inside from the left, feinted past Cristian Gabriel Romero, and fired low past Guglielmo Vicario. The second? Pure instinct. A loose ball in the box, a half-volley from six yards, and the net rippled. The third? A masterpiece. A counterattack so fast, Tottenham’s backline hadn’t even reset. Eze sprinted past Micky van de Ven, held off a last-ditch tackle, and slotted it coolly. By the 41st minute, Tottenham’s fans were silent. The crowd? Already planning the victory lap.
Arteta’s Masterclass in Adversity
Here’s the thing: Arsenal didn’t just win—they won despite being thin. Gabriel Martinelli was out for weeks after his thigh injury in Brazil’s squad. Viktor Gyökeres was a doubt. Riccardo Calafiori, who started at left-back, had to be subbed off in the 90+2nd minute with cramp. Yet Arteta’s side didn’t flinch. David Raya was rock-solid. William Saliba and Jurriën Timber shut down every Tottenham counter. And when Noni Madueke came on late, he added pace that Tottenham couldn’t handle. Arteta didn’t just manage the game—he engineered it. He knew Tottenham’s strength was their away record: only two points dropped in five road games. So he attacked. And attacked. And attacked again.
Tottenham’s Crumbling Fortress
Before kick-off, Ange Postecoglou had been glowing about his team’s away form. "Best in the league," he’d said. "We’re built for this." But the script didn’t write itself that way. Destiny Udogie was caught out on the first goal. Pedro Porro was a shadow of himself. And Randal Kolo Muani, back from his head injury, looked rusty, isolated, and overwhelmed. Tottenham had chances—two clear headers from Cristian Romero in the 60th and 75th minutes—but both were off-target. By then, the damage was done. The away record? Gone. The top-four dream? Shaky.
League Implications: A Six-Point Gap and Rising Pressure
Post-match, Arsenal sat at 29 points from 12 games—nine wins, two draws, one loss. A +18 goal difference. Six points clear of Chelsea and Manchester City. Meanwhile, Tottenham slumped to fifth with 18 points. Same as Manchester United and Liverpool. But here’s the twist: United and Liverpool had played 11 games. Tottenham had played 12. They were falling behind on games played. The margin for error? Vanishing. And with the festive fixture list looming—home to Manchester City in December, then a trip to Chelsea—Postecoglou’s squad looks fragile.
Historical Weight: The 201st Chapter
This was the 201st competitive meeting between these clubs. Since the first in 1887, the derby has been defined by drama, controversy, and heartbreak. But in the last decade, Arsenal have held the upper hand. Five of the last six derbies? Arsenal wins. This one? It wasn’t close. The 4-1 scoreline is the largest margin in the derby since 2014. And it came at the perfect time—just before the winter break, when momentum matters more than ever.
What’s Next?
Arsenal host Manchester City on December 15. A win there and the title race may be over. Tottenham? They travel to Chelsea on December 14. Lose, and the top-four race becomes a cliff edge. Meanwhile, Eze’s hat-trick has sparked talk of a first England call-up since 2023. He’s not just a derby hero anymore—he’s a national team candidate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Eze’s hat-trick impact his international prospects?
Eze’s performance has reignited serious England selection talk. He hasn’t been capped since 2023, but this hat-trick against a top-six rival in a high-stakes derby is exactly the kind of statement that managers like Gareth Southgate look for. With Bukayo Saka injured and Phil Foden inconsistent, Eze’s pace, creativity, and clutch scoring make him a compelling alternative on the wing.
Why was Arsenal’s defense so effective despite injuries?
Arteta’s system prioritizes compactness and aggressive pressing. Even without Gabriel and Calafiori, Saliba and Timber maintained a high line, forcing Tottenham into long balls that rarely found their target. Raya’s command of the area and Timber’s ability to cover wide channels neutralized Porro and Udogie’s overlaps. It wasn’t about personnel—it was about structure.
What does this result mean for Tottenham’s Champions League hopes?
Tottenham now trail fourth-place AFC Bournemouth by one point but have played an extra game. With fixtures against City, Chelsea, and Liverpool still to come, dropping points at home to Arsenal is a major setback. Their away record is now 5 wins, 3 draws, 5 losses. The dream of a top-four finish is still alive—but it’s hanging by a thread.
How does this compare to past North London Derby results?
Arsenal’s last 4-1 win in the derby was in 2014. The 201st meeting saw the biggest margin since then. Historically, the derby has often been decided by single goals or late drama. This was different: a complete dismantling. Eze’s three goals in nine minutes matched the fastest hat-trick in derby history, previously set by Thierry Henry in 2004.
What role did the Emirates Stadium crowd play in the outcome?
The atmosphere was electric—over 60,000 fans were on their feet from the 30th minute onward. The noise disrupted Tottenham’s build-up play, especially during set pieces. Postecoglou admitted after the match that the crowd’s intensity made communication nearly impossible. For Arsenal, it was the 12th man—pushing them forward when fatigue set in.
When will Arsenal face their next major test?
Arsenal’s next big challenge is December 15 against Manchester City at the Etihad. That’s the game that will define whether they’re genuine title contenders or just a strong team with a good run. A win would put them 9 points clear with only 10 games left—effectively sealing the title race.