Eberechi Eze etched his name into Premier League history by becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in the North London derby during Arsenal's emphatic 4-1 victory against fierce rivals Tottenham on Sunday. The Arsenal forward, who had notably rejected a move to Spurs in August in favor of a £60 million ($78m) transfer to the Emirates from Crystal Palace, netted a sensational 35-minute hat-trick in his inaugural derby appearance against the Gunners' local adversaries.

This historic achievement is particularly significant as no Arsenal or Spurs player had scored a league hat-trick in this fixture since Alan Sunderland for Arsenal in December 1978. Historically, only one Spurs player, Terry Dyson in August 1961, has scored a North London derby hat-trick. Eze, by contrast, became only the third Arsenal player to accomplish this feat, following Ted Drake in October 1934 and Alan Sunderland, with his match-winning contribution for Mikel Arteta's Premier League leaders. Remarkably, this was also Eze's first professional career hat-trick, a milestone achieved after playing for Queen's Park Rangers, Wycombe Wanderers, and Crystal Palace before joining Arsenal.

Post-match, Eze shared his elation with Sky Sports, stating, "That's a good one, man. Enjoyable day. Happy to help the team and to win today was special." He added, "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." When asked to pick his favorite goal, Eze responded, "They are all good. Maybe the second one. That was my favorite. All of them are good for me because I have been working on the process to get in that position so that's good again. It is special. Words can't explain this one today."

The match began with Leandro Trossard giving Arsenal a 1-0 lead against Tottenham before Eze truly took center stage. Despite Richarlison striking to offer Tottenham a glimmer of hope, Eze completed his hat-trick, stealing the show and solidifying his place in derby folklore. This victory propelled Arsenal to the top of the Premier League after 12 games, establishing a crucial six-point lead over second-place Chelsea.

The win was a massive opportunity for Arsenal to pull ahead, especially after title challengers Liverpool and Manchester City both suffered defeats on Saturday. Mikel Arteta’s side capitalized on this, moving seven points clear of City and a substantial eleven points ahead of defending champions Liverpool. The pre-match atmosphere at the Emirates was electric, with a new tifo featuring Arsenal legends, a video montage, and fireworks whipping the crowd into a frenzy. This dominance in the North London derby continues, with only one home defeat to Spurs in 32 years, back in 2010. While nothing is won in November, Arsenal are undoubtedly strong favorites for their first title since 2004.

For Tottenham, this defeat at the Emirates added significant pressure on coach Frank Thomas, who has been at Spurs for less than six months. Losing to Arsenal is always painful for Spurs fans, but aside from Richarlison's stunning long-range goal, the team displayed little to no shining light. Thomas's defensive tactics garnered displeasure among the Spurs fan base, and this marked his fifth defeat in 19 games. With challenging fixtures ahead, including a UEFA Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain, followed by home games against Fulham and Brentford, and an away match at Newcastle, Thomas faces a critical period to turn the team's fortunes around.

Eze's major role in the outcome was perhaps inevitable, particularly given the summer transfer saga. The 27-year-old was reportedly on the brink of joining Tottenham from Crystal Palace when he contacted Arteta to inquire about Arsenal's interest. With Kai Havertz suffering a hamstring injury, Arteta pursued Eze, a lifelong Arsenal fan, who then informed Palace of his preference, securing his move to the Emirates Stadium. This transfer left Spurs' plans in tatters, leading them to sign Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig instead. Eze's three sublime finishes not only highlighted Arsenal's depth but also served as a brutal reminder to Spurs of what they missed out on, especially as Simons started on the bench, offering no improvement when introduced at halftime.

Beyond Eze's heroics, Leandro Trossard emerged as an unsung hero for Arsenal. The Belgium international, a £27 million signing from Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2023, reliably opened the scoring in the 36th minute. Despite not always starting the biggest games, Trossard's opener was his 10th goal contribution across all competitions, leading the team. Having come close to leaving Arsenal in the summer, his new contract and pay rise underscore his importance to the team, highlighting that his consistent contribution, alongside the star players, will be crucial in Arsenal's pursuit of the Premier League title.