Date: Sunday, November 23, 2025 Competition: Premier League Venue: Emirates Stadium Attendance: Full Capacity Goals: Arsenal—Trossard (36'), Eze (41', 46', 76'); Spurs—Richarlison (56')
📝 Match Summary: The Eze Masterclass
Arsenal made a definitive statement in the title race, demolishing their bitter North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium. The victory, orchestrated by a sublime, history-making hat-trick from summer signing Eberechi Eze, propels Mikel Arteta’s side six points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Spurs, setting up in a highly conservative back-three system under Thomas Frank, were resolute for the opening half-hour but crumbled under relentless Arsenal pressure just before the interval. While Richarlison provided a brief moment of spectacular hope for the visitors with a stunning long-range goal, the day unequivocally belonged to Eze, who became the first player in 47 years to score a derby hat-trick.
⚽ First Half: The Dam Breaks
The atmosphere was electric, matching the intensity of Arsenal’s opening ten minutes, which saw the hosts dominate possession and territory. Declan Rice came agonizingly close in the 3rd minute, meeting a clever scooped pass from Eze with a crisp volley that was saved well by Guglielmo Vicario.
Tottenham’s defensive approach, featuring Kevin Danso in a three-man backline alongside Romero and Van de Ven, was clearly aimed at frustrating the league leaders. For a significant period, the game was a tactical headlock, with Spurs successfully killing the tempo and resorting to deliberate time-wasting.
The breakthrough, however, was inevitable.
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1-0, Arsenal (36'): The deadlock was broken by Leandro Trossard. Centre-forward stand-in Mikel Merino dropped deep and delivered a wonderful, dinked through-ball over the high defensive line. Trossard, timing his run perfectly, controlled, spun, and fired a left-footed shot that deflected off a sliding Micky van de Ven and nestled into the far corner.
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2-0, Arsenal (41'): The second goal landed a crushing blow just five minutes later. Receiving a pass from Declan Rice on the edge of the area, Eberechi Eze showcased the twinkle-toed brilliance Tottenham reportedly coveted in the summer. He carved out a yard of space between João Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur before unleashing a low, powerful drive that flew past Vicario. The Emirates erupted, sensing a familiar derby narrative unfolding.
The first half ended with Spurs having failed to register a single shot at goal, leaving Frank with a mountain to climb.
💥 Second Half: Blitz and Brilliance
Thomas Frank attempted to inject life and attacking intent by switching to a flat back-four and introducing Xavi Simons for the struggling Danso at the restart.
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3-0, Arsenal (46'): The change failed spectacularly. Just 36 seconds into the second half, Arsenal scored again. Jurrien Timber advanced from defence, slipped a pass to Eze on the edge of the box, and the midfielder, with ice in his veins, curled a low, left-footed strike into the bottom corner. A beaming Eze celebrated, confirming the demolition had begun.
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3-1, Spurs (56'): Against the run of play, Spurs found a moment of individual genius. After a turnover in midfield, Richarlison spotted David Raya off his line and, with breathtaking vision and technique, lifted an inch-perfect 40-yard lob over the Arsenal keeper and under the bar. It was a goal of spectacular quality—Spurs’ first shot on target—and briefly raised the noise and the hope in the away end.
Arsenal absorbed the temporary spike in Spurs’ momentum, regaining control of the midfield through the commanding presence of Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi.
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4-1, Arsenal (76'): The sensational Eze sealed his magnificent performance and completed his hat-trick. A slick Arsenal counter-attack saw Trossard receive the ball and square it to Eze just inside the box. Taking a moment of calm, the midfielder shifted the ball onto his right foot, allowing a sliding Destiny Udogie to rush past, before drilling a composed, clinical finish into the far corner.
The goal ended the contest, allowing Arteta to make changes, including the welcome return of Noni Madueke from injury. The match ended with a subdued white half of North London heading for the exits early, contemplating a crushing, one-sided derby defeat.
⭐ Man of the Match
Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
A perfect derby debut. Three sensational goals, created the best chance of the first half (for Rice), and was the focal point of every devastating Arsenal attack. He showed remarkable composure, technique, and clinical finishing, earning a historic match ball and an iconic place in derby folklore.
📋 Line-ups & Data