Some days in football just feel bigger than others, and November 23, 2025, was one of them. The air crackles a little differently for a North London derby, and this one was an absolute firecracker. Arsenal didn't just beat Tottenham; they dismantled them in a 4-1 thumping that felt every bit as one-sided as the scoreline suggests, all thanks to the masterclass put on by one man: Eberechi Eze.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Eberechi Eze was the star of the show, scoring a phenomenal derby debut hat-trick.
- ✓ Arsenal secured a dominant 4-1 victory over rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium.
- ✓ The win pushes Arsenal six points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
- ✓ Richarlison scored a stunning consolation goal for Spurs with a perfect chip from 45 yards out.
- ✓ The decisive victory piles pressure on Spurs, who remain ninth in the league.
In front of a roaring crowd of 60,345 at the Emirates Stadium, Eze didn't just score; he delivered a derby debut hat-trick that will be talked about for years. It was a performance that announced his arrival on the biggest stage and sent a clear message to the rest of the league. Let's break down how this unforgettable afternoon unfolded.
Setting the Tone: A First-Half Onslaught
The game didn't explode from the first whistle, but you could feel Arsenal slowly turning the screw. For over half an hour, it was a tense affair, but then, the floodgates opened. It was the ever-reliable Leandro Trossard who broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, continuing what has been a truly fine run of form for a player who, let's be honest, probably doesn't get the credit he deserves.
Just as Spurs were trying to regroup, Eberechi Eze decided it was his time to shine. Just six minutes after Trossard's opener, in the 42nd minute, he pounced to make it 2-0. His timing and composure were just impeccable. The Emirates erupted. Going into halftime with a two-goal cushion in a derby is a massive psychological advantage, and Arsenal had completely earned it.
If Spurs thought the break would offer them a reset, they were sorely mistaken. Barely a minute after the restart, in the 46th minute, Eze struck again. A 3-0 lead right out of the gate in the second half. It was a brutal, clinical blow that showcased just how much creativity and goal threat he brings to this Arsenal side. The game, for all intents and purposes, looked over.
A Moment of Magic in the Midst of Misery
Just when it seemed like a complete humiliation was on the cards, Tottenham produced a moment of absolute, undeniable genius. In the 56th minute, Bentancur nailed Zubimendi with a crunching tackle inside the center-circle, dislodging the ball. It fell to Richarlison, who, from a staggering 45 yards out, looked up and saw David Raya off his line.
What followed was breathtaking. He sent a perfect, soaring chip over the keeper and into the back of the net. It was one of those goals where you can pinpoint the exact second the keeper realizes he's in big trouble. Out of nowhere, Spurs had a lifeline. It was a goal worthy of winning any game, but on this day, it would only be a spectacular footnote.
For a brief period, you wondered if the chaos of football might intervene. Could Spurs use this incredible spark to mount an unlikely comeback? They did show a bit more fight, with Simons testing Raya with a low shot. But Arsenal, and specifically Eberechi Eze, had other ideas. The hope was fleeting, and the home side was in no mood to let their rivals back into the contest.
Sealing the Deal and Sinking the Ship
Any thoughts of a Spurs revival were emphatically crushed in the 76th minute. In a slick move, Merino played the ball to Trossard, who squared it for the man of the hour. With Udogie flying past him on the slide, Eze took a moment, composed himself, and curled a beautiful finish inside the near post. Hat-trick. Game, set, and match.
That fourth goal was the final nail. The away end began to empty, a sad sight for any travelling fan but a telling one. This wasn't just a loss; it was the kind of humbling defeat that can seriously undermine a manager's reign. The frustration for Spurs was palpable. You saw it when Cristian Romero, true to form, got himself booked for dissent after a completely separate incident, earning him a suspension for their next game against Fulham.
As the final minutes ticked away, the Arsenal fans were in party mode, cheering every pass as their team played keep-ball. It was a "statement performance," not because they played perfect football—commentators rated it a 7/10 performance—but because they could be that clinical and still smash their rivals into oblivion. That's the mark of a team with serious title ambitions.
The Bigger Picture: Title Hopes and Tottenham's Troubles
With Manchester City dropping points, this win was huge. Arsenal now sit six points clear at the top of the table. The question is no longer if they are contenders, but who can possibly stop them? It feels like it's City or no one at this point. The performance also sparked an interesting debate: Is the team better with Eze's goal threat over the more traditional creativity of Martin Ødegaard? It's a good problem to have, but one that might see Ødegaard's place under threat if he can't rediscover his best form.
For Tottenham, the outlook is far bleaker. They remain stuck in ninth place, and this defeat will surely rankle with the fans and the board. One observer described them perfectly as being "stuck in some kind of four-wheel gear going nowhere, up a muddy slope, and with the lights off." With tough fixtures ahead, including PSG and Liverpool, manager Thomas Frank will be feeling the heat. This result has likely used up whatever goodwill he had left.
Conclusion
In the end, this North London derby was the Eberechi Eze story. His timing, his composure, and his clinical finishing were simply on another level, rightfully earning him the Player of the Match award. While Richarlison's wonder goal will make the highlight reels, the day belonged entirely to Arsenal.
They sent a powerful message to the rest of the Premier League with a dominant win that extends their lead at the top. For Spurs, it was an afternoon of misery and a harsh reminder of the work they have ahead. On this day, North London was emphatically, unquestionably red.
