Eze's Masterclass Decides North London Derby
In a spectacular display of football, Arsenal secured a resounding 4-1 victory over their arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League's North London Derby on Sunday, November 23. The hero of the match was Eberechi Eze, who delivered a magnificent hat-trick, a performance made sweeter by the dramatic transfer saga that brought him to the Emirates.
Match Details: A Hat-Trick to Remember
Arsenal's dominance was personified by their new signing, Eberechi Eze. The Crystal Palace loanee, now turned Gunner, was in scintillating form throughout the match. He broke the deadlock just before half-time with a low, driven shot that put Arsenal 2-0 up. Showing no mercy, Eze doubled his tally almost immediately after the restart, scoring in the 46th minute with a calm and collected finish that left the Spurs defense stunned.
The crowning moment arrived in the 76th minute when Eze completed a perfect hat-trick by beautifully curling a shot past the Tottenham goalkeeper. Although Richarlison managed to score a consolation goal for Tottenham late in the game, the outcome was never in doubt. Eze's brilliance had already secured three crucial points for the Gunners, allowing them to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
The Transfer Saga: How Arsenal Snatched Eze
The victory was a poignant end to a transfer story that began three months earlier. Back in August 2025, Tottenham Hotspur were confident they had secured the signature of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace. A deal worth approximately £60 million plus add-ons was agreed upon, and personal terms were finalized. Spurs were actively planning how the 27-year-old would integrate into manager Thomas Frank's squad.
However, in a dramatic late move in the transfer window, Arsenal swooped in with a superior offer of £67.5 million (£60 million upfront and £7.5 million in add-ons). This bold move, coupled with the club's project, convinced Eze to choose a move to the Emirates Stadium instead, dealing a significant blow to their North London rivals.
Arteta's Vision and Eze's Journey
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was effusive in his praise after securing the signing. He explained the reasoning behind the club's push for Eze, stating, "We are absolutely delighted to bring Eberechi to Arsenal. He is a powerful and exciting player who will give us a new dimension in our attacking game." Arteta further emphasized that "His journey, his mentality, and his ambition are exactly what we want in our team."
Eze's path to this glorious moment is a testament to his perseverance. Initially released by Arsenal as a teenager, he worked his way up through the ranks at Queens Park Rangers (QPR) before earning a £17 million move to Crystal Palace in 2020. His career highlight at Palace came in May 2025, when he scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, securing the club's first major trophy.
