Arsenal delivered one of their most commanding North London Derby performances in recent years, defeating Tottenham Hotspur 4–1 at the Emirates Stadium on 23 November 2025. It wasn’t just a derby win — it was a declaration. A message to the rest of the Premier League that Arsenal are not only competing for the title, but doing so with confidence, swagger, and a clear identity.
A Derby That Exploded Into Life
The match started with both sides feeling each other out, but as the first half progressed, Arsenal increasingly took control. Their breakthrough came in the 36th minute. Mikel Merino, playing in a slightly more advanced role than usual, chipped a clever ball into the path of Leandro Trossard. The Belgian took a smart touch and finished decisively, helped slightly by a deflection off a Spurs defender. It was the spark Arsenal needed.
From there, the floodgates opened — and Eberechi Eze took center stage.
Just before halftime, Eze picked up a pass from Declan Rice, glided past two Tottenham players, and drilled the ball into the bottom corner. It was the kind of individual moment that lifts a stadium, and it sent Arsenal into the break with a commanding 2–0 lead.
Whatever Tottenham planned for the second half fell apart almost instantly. Just 35 seconds after kickoff, Eze struck again, reacting fastest to a loose ball inside the box and finishing clinically. At 3–0, the derby looked done.
Tottenham did have a moment of brilliance: Richarlison caught David Raya off his line and lobbed him from inside his own half — a stunning strike that momentarily gave Spurs hope. But Arsenal responded with maturity, regrouping and slowing the tempo until Eze completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with a composed low finish.
His treble made him only the fourth player in history to score a hat-trick in a competitive Arsenal–Tottenham derby, and the first Arsenal player to do it since the late 1970s. It was a performance fans will talk about for years.
Eze’s Star-Making Performance
There’s always pressure on big-money signings, but Eze played like a man who had fully settled into Arsenal’s system. His movement, confidence, and decision-making stood out all game. Mikel Arteta called it an “aura,” the kind of presence that lifts everyone else around him.
Every time Eze touched the ball, something happened — a turn, a burst of pace, a clever pass. His hat-trick wasn’t just about finishing; it was about reading the game, exploiting spaces, and staying composed in big moments. In a derby filled with emotion, he stayed ice-cold.
Arsenal’s Collective Strength
While Eze will take the headlines, this was an excellent team performance. Declan Rice completely dictated the midfield, breaking up play and starting attacks with confidence. Bukayo Saka stretched the Spurs defence constantly on the right wing, and Merino showed his intelligence in a more advanced role.
Defensively, Arsenal looked assured. Apart from Richarlison’s long-range lob, Tottenham barely created anything. The visitors finished with one of the lowest expected-goals statistics recorded this season — a reflection of how little threat they posed.
Tottenham’s Problems Laid Bare
Spurs arrived with a defensive game plan, starting with a back five, but it simply didn’t work. Once Arsenal found their rhythm, Tottenham struggled to keep up. Their midfield was overwhelmed, their attack isolated, and their defensive structure repeatedly pulled apart.
After the game, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario apologized to Spurs supporters, admitting the team didn’t show enough fight. Manager Thomas Frank echoed the sentiment, calling the performance “painful.”
What This Win Means
With the victory, Arsenal moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League. Beyond the scoreline, the win showed character — the type of dominance and composure expected from title challengers.
For Tottenham, the defeat raises deeper questions about their approach in big matches. For Arsenal, it reinforces something fans have been feeling for weeks: this team believes it can achieve something special.
Arsenal didn’t just beat Spurs. They made a statement — loudly and decisively.
