Key stats
- Eberechi Eze has scored the fourth-ever hat-trick in competitive meetings between Arsenal and Tottenham, after Ted Drake (Arsenal, October 1934), Terry Dyson (Spurs, August 1961) and Alan Sunderland (Arsenal, December 1978).
- Tottenham are the only side in the Premier League this season to fail to attempt a shot in two separate first halves (also vs Bournemouth in August), the same amount as across their prior 205 matches in the competition combined.
- Richarlison’s goal for Tottenham (35.3 yards) is the furthest scored in the Premier League this season, whilst it's also the second furthest goal on record (since 2006/07) scored in a Premier League North London Derby after David Bentley's strike for Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium in October 2008 (35.7).
Highlights
Analysis
Arsenal's hat-trick hero Eberechi Eze delivered a near-perfect performance as he single-handedly dismantled Tottenham.
Arsenal dominated proceedings from start to finish, barely giving their rivals a sniff.
Match report
Eberechi Eze carved out the game’s first major opportunity just three minutes into proceedings with a brilliantly flicked pass for Declan Rice, whose volley was sweetly struck but directed straight at Guglielmo Vicario before the ball bounced behind off Kevin Danso.
The hosts’ positive start continued with Cristian Romero being forced into a block to deny Mikel Merino, while Bukayo Saka caused problems for Destiny Udogie but sent a free-kick over the crossbar after being fouled by the wing-back.
The Emirates crowd grew increasingly frustrated with Spurs as the visitors looked to slow things down, especially as the Gunners’ search for an opener continued with Jurriën Timber’s attempt lacking conviction and Saka’s free-kick being saved.
The Gunners finally got their goal in the 36th minute, when Merino found Leandro Trossard with a superb pass that the Belgian controlled before hitting a shot on the turn that was deflected past Vicario by Micky van de Ven.
Having broken through, it took just five minutes for Mikel Arteta’s men to strike again, with Eze working space in Spurs’ box and hitting a shot that took a touch off Van de Ven again before getting past Vicario’s outstretched hand.
Not finished there, Eze collected Timber’s pass and picked out the bottom corner with a pinpoint finish within 40 seconds of the restart.
Spurs did regain some remnants of hope, though, as João Palhinha dispossessed Martín Zubimendi and Richarlison beat David Raya with an outrageous strike from range that was their first shot of the entire match.
There was still further frustration for the visitors as Romero received a booking for dissent, which keeps him out of the Fulham match.
Eze then downed them again for a dream hat-trick, as he collected Trossard’s pass and effortlessly sat down Udogie before finishing.
Eze had another attempt saved moments later, but his flair inspired more cheers from the home crowd as Arsenal made it 15 consecutive matches unbeaten across all competitions to go six points ahead at the top of the PL table.
In contrast, Spurs have won just one of their last five competitive fixtures, losing three of those and leaving them ninth for now.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
Post-match comments
Arsenal's Eberechi Eze to Sky Sports: "That's a good one man. Enjoyable day. Happy to help the team and to win today was special.
"It's special. I am grateful. I prayed for it. This is what I pray for. I prayed for a hat-trick so I am grateful to God.
"That was the prayer today. God gave it to me and that is faith, man. All my family is here and that makes it even more special for me.
"It is special. Words can't explain this one today."
Tottenham's Guglielmo Vicario to Sky Sports: "A very bad night for us. First of all, we have to apologise to the people that support us every day. They expected us to fight and today we didn't fight. That's not negotiable to do in football in this level.
"It's a tough night, a very bad defeat, but we have to stick together. We have a big night on Wednesday, but we need to stick together. Tonight we didn't show the things we are normally capable of.
"The emotions are high, but we need cool heads and apologise to the people that support us and have travelled today."