When Eberechi Eze curled his third goal past David Raya in the 78th minute, the roar at Emirates Stadium didn’t just celebrate a goal—it crowned a moment etched into derby lore. On Sunday, November 23, 2025, Arsenal crushed Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 in a performance that redefined the modern North London derby, turning what many expected to be a tight battle into a masterclass in dominance. With Mikel Arteta’s side now 29 points from 12 games, their lead at the top of the Premier League stretched to six points over Chelsea and seven over Manchester City. And the man who made it all happen? A £15 million signing from Crystal Palace, now the fourth player ever to score a hat-trick in this fixture.
A Derby Built on History, But Rewritten Today
Arsenal hadn’t lost a league match at home to Tottenham since 2010. Six derbies. Five wins. One draw. That streak felt like a law of physics—until Sunday, when it became a landslide. The stakes were high: Spurs, under new manager Thomas Frank, had transformed from a defensively porous side into the league’s most resilient away team. They’d gone unbeaten on the road in their last 10 Premier League trips—four wins, four losses, two draws. But none of that mattered against an Arsenal side firing on all cylinders.Even without Gabriel, their captain and defensive rock, sidelined with a thigh injury expected to keep him out for two months, Arteta’s team didn’t blink. Mosquera stepped in seamlessly, and the backline held firm as Tottenham managed just three shots on target the entire match.
The Hat-Trick That Broke the Derby
Eze didn’t just score—he orchestrated. His first goal came in the 18th minute, a low, curling finish after a slick one-two with Martin Ødegaard. The second, in the 42nd, was pure instinct: a quick turn inside the box, a feint that left Cristian Romero on the turf, and a left-footed blast into the far corner. By halftime, Arsenal were 2-0 up and in complete control.Then came the moment everyone remembers. In the 55th minute, Richarlison spotted David Raya off his line, 40 yards out, and launched a looping lob that floated over the goalkeeper’s outstretched arms. For a moment, the stadium fell silent. Then, just 11 minutes later, Eze sealed it. A counterattack, a sprint past James Maddison, and a clinical finish past Guglielmo Vicario. A fourth from Bukayo Saka in the 87th minute made it official.
Numbers Don’t Lie—Arsenal Were in Another League
The stats tell a story no pundit could have predicted:- 60.9% possession—Arsenal’s average this season
- 15.1 shot attempts—more than any other Premier League side
- Only 0.5 goals conceded per game—best in Europe
- Spurs’ 40-yard goal was their only shot on target
- 7.1 corners per game for Arsenal—Tottenham managed just two
Even more telling? Arsenal’s 14-match unbeaten run—dating back to their August loss to Liverpool—was now extended to 15 games. And despite missing Gabriel, their defensive structure didn’t waver. William Saliba and Ben White were imperious, combining for 12 clearances and 9 interceptions.
What This Means for the Title Race
With Liverpool and Manchester City both losing on Saturday, Arteta’s team didn’t just win—they seized momentum. Six points clear at the top? That’s not a cushion. That’s a declaration. Chelsea, who had looked like serious contenders, now trail by six. Manchester City, after a shock defeat to Nottingham Forest, are seven behind. And Tottenham? Their top-four hopes took a brutal hit. With 18 points and a +6 goal difference, they’re now tied with fifth-placed Aston Villa—but with a tougher run-in and a depleted squad, their season may hinge on the next six weeks.“We knew we had to be ruthless,” Arteta said in his post-match interview. “This isn’t just about pride. It’s about proving you can win when it matters.”
What’s Next?
Arsenal face a tough away trip to Manchester United next, followed by a home clash with Liverpool. Tottenham, meanwhile, host Brighton and then travel to Newcastle—two matches they can’t afford to drop points in. Frank admitted after the game: “We got caught out. We thought we could sit deep and counter. But they were too fast, too precise.”The irony? Sports Gambler had tipped Tottenham +1.25 as a smart Asian Handicap bet at -106 odds. They were wrong. Pain in the Arsenal’s prediction—that Arsenal would be “defensively astute enough to not get punished”—wasn’t just right. It was prophetic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the hat-trick in the Arsenal vs. Tottenham match, and why is it historic?
Eberechi Eze scored a hat-trick in Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Tottenham on November 23, 2025, becoming only the fourth player ever to achieve this in a North London derby. The previous three were Ian Wright (1997), Thierry Henry (2004), and Harry Kane (2015). Eze’s feat is especially rare because it came against a Spurs side that had conceded just 1.6 goals per away game this season.
How did Arsenal manage to win without Gabriel?
Despite Gabriel’s thigh injury sidelining him for 1-2 months, Arsenal’s defense held firm thanks to William Saliba and Ben White, who combined for 21 defensive actions. Mosquera, the backup center-back, played his best game of the season, making key clearances and intercepting passes in transition. Arteta’s system prioritized compactness over individual brilliance, and it worked perfectly.
What was Tottenham’s strategy, and why did it fail?
Thomas Frank set up Tottenham in a 3-4-3, aiming to absorb pressure and strike on the counter. They’d been successful doing this on the road, conceding just 1.6 goals per away game. But Arsenal’s midfield trio of Ødegaard, Palhinha, and Bentancur controlled the tempo so thoroughly that Spurs rarely got into rhythm. The lone goal—a 40-yard lob—was a fluke, not a strategy.
How does this result affect the Premier League title race?
Arsenal’s win extended their lead to six points over Chelsea, seven over Manchester City, and eight over the fourth-place team. With Liverpool and City both losing, Arteta’s side now controls their destiny. Only three teams have won the Premier League after being this far ahead by Matchweek 12 since 2000—and all of them went on to lift the trophy.
What’s the historical significance of Arsenal’s home record against Tottenham?
Arsenal have not lost a league match at home to Tottenham since 2010—a 15-year streak spanning 6 derbies (5 wins, 1 draw). In the all-time head-to-head, Arsenal lead 84-61 in wins, with 52 draws. This result reinforced their psychological edge at Emirates Stadium, where they’ve won 11 of their last 12 league games against Spurs.
Where was the match broadcast, and how did viewers react?
The match aired on Sky Sports in the UK, Stan Sport in Australia, DAZN and fuboTV in Canada, and Peacock in the US. Social media exploded with clips of Eze’s hat-trick, trending #EzeDerby across platforms. In London, pubs reported record attendance, and Arsenal’s official app crashed for 20 minutes after the final whistle as fans rushed to buy match tickets for the next derby.
Tanya Bhargav
That Eze hat-trick was pure magic. I watched it live in Delhi and my chai spilled all over my laptop. No regrets. That second goal? The way he spun past Romero like he was standing still. Absolute poetry.
Sanket Sonar
Arteta’s xG model just broke the internet. 15.1 shot attempts? That’s not football, that’s a simulation. Spurs had zero structural response. Zero. The 3-4-3 was a liability, not a tactic.
pravin s
Man I’ve been following Eze since Palace days. He’s always had the talent, but this? This is when he stopped being a player and became a moment. I’m not even an Arsenal fan but I’m kinda proud for him.
Bharat Mewada
There’s something about derbies that reveals the soul of a team. This wasn’t just about goals or possession. It was about presence. Arsenal didn’t just win-they made Tottenham feel small. That’s rarer than a hat-trick.
Ambika Dhal
Let’s be real-this was a fluke. Spurs were tired from their midweek Europa game. Gabriel’s absence? A distraction. Arteta got lucky. The stats are inflated because Spurs gave up. This isn’t dominance, it’s opportunism.
Narinder K
So the guy who scored the hat-trick got signed for 15 mil? And you’re telling me City didn’t bid? Someone’s getting fired at Man City’s scouting department. Or maybe they were just busy counting their losses last weekend.
Narayana Murthy Dasara
Big congrats to Eze. That’s the kind of performance that makes you believe in football again. No ego, no flash-just pure, clean execution. And the way Ødegaard set him up? Chef’s kiss. This is why we watch.
lakshmi shyam
Spurs fans are still crying about the 40-yard goal? That was a gift. They didn’t deserve to be on the pitch. Frank’s system is garbage. He should’ve been sacked before kickoff. This is why English football is dying-coaches who think sitting back is a strategy.
Sabir Malik
I remember watching Wright score in 1997. Then Henry in 2004. Then Kane in 2015. And now Eze. Four names in 28 years. That’s the kind of legacy that doesn’t come from money-it comes from heart. And the way he celebrated? No showboating, just quiet joy. That’s what I love about this game. It’s not about the contract, it’s about the connection. I cried watching it. Not because I’m an Arsenal fan. Because I’m a human being.
Debsmita Santra
Defensive structure was flawless. Saliba and White were operating on another level. The midfield trio controlled the tempo like a symphony conductor. Arteta’s system is built on spatial awareness, not individual brilliance. That’s why they don’t need Gabriel. The structure compensates. Spurs never adjusted. They were playing 2023 football against a 2025 machine. The 14-match unbeaten run? It’s not luck. It’s architecture.
Vasudha Kamra
It’s rare to see a hat-trick that’s both statistically dominant and emotionally resonant. Eze’s goals weren’t just well-taken-they were perfectly timed. First goal: early pressure. Second: psychological blow. Third: the nail in the coffin. This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
Abhinav Rawat
Think about it-football is the only sport where a single moment can rewrite history. A hat-trick in a derby isn’t just a stat. It’s a myth. Eze didn’t just score three goals. He joined a lineage. Wright. Henry. Kane. Now him. And the funny thing? None of them were expensive. None of them were marketed. They just showed up, played, and became legends. That’s the beauty of this game. Not the money. Not the ads. Just the moment.
Shashi Singh
WAIT. WAIT. WAIT. Did you guys notice the camera angle on the third goal? The ref was looking the other way… and the linesman? He was adjusting his socks. And the VAR? Silent. And the ball? It barely crossed the line-look at the pixelation! This was fixed. Someone paid off the linesman. Arsenal’s owner has ties to that Dubai investment fund that bought 17% of the league’s broadcast rights last year. This isn’t football. It’s a scripted drama. The 4-1? A narrative. The hat-trick? A plot device. Wake up.
raja kumar
My uncle in Mumbai watched this on his old TV with no sound. He said he could feel the roar through the walls. That’s the power of this game. No language needed. Just passion. Eze didn’t need to speak. His feet did it all.
Sumit Prakash Gupta
Arteta’s system = next-gen football. Data-driven, high-press, positional rotation. Spurs? Still playing 2010 football. They didn’t adapt. They didn’t evolve. That’s why they’re irrelevant. Arsenal are building a dynasty. And Eze? He’s the catalyst. This isn’t a fluke. This is the future.
Shikhar Narwal
That third goal 😭👏🔥 Eze is the real MVP. No cap. No flex. Just pure skill. I’m telling my kids this story when they’re old enough to understand football. This is why I love the game.