When Eberechi Eze struck his third goal in the 88th minute of the North London derby on November 23, 2025, the roar from Emirates Stadium didn’t just celebrate a win—it echoed through football history. Arsenal Football Club defeated Tottenham Hotspur Football Club 4-1 in a performance so dominant, so brutally efficient, that even long-time fans struggled to recall a derby like it. Eze didn’t just score three goals—he became the first player ever to net a hat-trick in the 137-year rivalry between these two clubs. And with it, Arsenal didn’t just win a game—they seized control of the 2025-2026 English Premier League.
A Derby Like No Other
At 10:40 am UTC, the air in North London crackled with tension. But by halftime, it was already clear this wasn’t going to be a classic 50-50 battle. Eze’s first goal came in the 32nd minute, a low, driven shot from the right edge of the box that curled past Tottenham’s keeper. The second, just four minutes later, was nearly identical—same angle, same foot, same result. By the 46th minute, the home crowd was chanting his name like a hymn. The third? A mirror image at 88’, sealing the night. All three came from the same zone, the same rhythm, the same quiet confidence. It wasn’t luck. It was precision.
It wasn’t just Eze. Arsenal Football Club controlled possession, pressed relentlessly, and turned every Tottenham turnover into a lethal counter. The final goal, a clinical finish by Myles Lewis-Skelly after he replaced Riccardo Calafiori at 90'+2', was the exclamation point. The scoreboard didn’t lie: 4-1. The stats didn’t lie either—Arsenal had 68% possession, 19 shots to Tottenham’s 5, and 11 corners. This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
The Numbers That Tell the Story
Before this match, Arsenal sat at 23 points. Afterward? 29. With 12 games played, they had 9 wins, 2 draws, and just 1 loss. Their goal difference? +18. That’s not just good—it’s championship-level. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club dropped to 18 points, their fourth loss in five matches. Their goal difference? +6. The gap? Six points. And here’s the kicker: no team in Premier League history has ever held a six-point lead at this stage of the season—Matchweek 12—and failed to win the title.
Chelsea Football Club, in second, had 23 points. Manchester City Football Club, third, sat at 22. Even with 26 games left, the math is brutal for rivals. Manchester United Football Club and Liverpool Football Club? Both stuck on 18 points, but having played only 11 games. That means Arsenal could still extend their lead by three points before they even face them again. The league table doesn’t lie. And right now, it’s screaming one name: Arsenal.
Voices From the Booth
On Rory Jennings’s podcast, ‘The Rory Jennings Show,’ the analysis was visceral. At timestamp 233, he said: ‘No team has ever been six points clear at this stage of the season and not won the league. And Eberechi Eze today—he was just mesmerizing.’ By timestamp 774, he’d escalated: ‘They really do have them all. It was an excellent day for Arsenal, a horrific day for Tottenham. Arsenal were men against boys. Complete and utter domination.’
ESPN analysts Ale Moreno and Steve Nicol didn’t just praise Eze—they pointed to the deeper structure. ‘Why Arsenal’s squad depth is a recipe for success,’ read their headline. They noted how Mikel Arteta rotated players without dropping intensity. How Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, and Bukayo Saka all contributed defensively. How even the substitutes—like Lewis-Skelly, barely 19—could change the game. That’s not talent. That’s a system.
What This Means for the Season
Historically, derby wins swing momentum. But this? This was a seismic shift. Tottenham, once a top-four contender, now look fragile. Their midfield was overrun. Their defense looked lost. And their fans? Silent. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s squad, once criticized for lacking ‘big-game experience,’ now looks like a machine. The depth is no longer a question—it’s the answer.
With the FA Cup and Champions League still ahead, Arsenal’s ability to rotate without dropping points could be the difference between a title and a near-miss. Manchester City, despite their 22 points, have a tougher schedule in January. Chelsea’s form has dipped. Liverpool? Still rebuilding. This isn’t just a lead. It’s a launchpad.
The Legacy of Eze
Before this match, Eze was known as a talented winger from Crystal Palace who had yet to fully shine at Arsenal. Now? He’s etched into North London folklore. Three goals in a derby that’s defined generations. Three goals from the same spot. Three goals that silenced a stadium that once mocked him. He didn’t just score—he redefined what’s possible in this rivalry.
And for Arsenal? This wasn’t just about points. It was about belief. The kind that comes when your star player rises, when your system clicks, when your fans know—this is the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has any player ever scored a hat-trick in a North London derby before?
No. Eberechi Eze became the first player in the 137-year history of the North London derby to score a hat-trick. Even legends like Thierry Henry, Harry Kane, and Jimmy Greaves never managed it. Eze’s three goals—all from the right edge of the penalty area—were historic not just for their quantity, but for their identical execution under pressure.
What does a six-point lead at Matchweek 12 mean for Arsenal’s title chances?
Since the Premier League began in 1992, no team with a six-point lead after 12 games has failed to win the title. Only three teams have even held that advantage at this stage—and all three won the league. Arsenal’s +18 goal difference and depth make them the strongest candidate yet. With 26 matches left, they’re not just favorites—they’re the favorites.
Why is Arsenal’s squad depth so important right now?
Arsenal played 11 different starting XI combinations in their last 12 matches. Players like Myles Lewis-Skelly, 19, and Marquinhos, 21, stepped in without dropping quality. This rotation keeps key players fresh for the winter grind and Champions League. No other top-four team has this level of usable depth—Manchester City and Chelsea have relied heavily on their starters, increasing injury risk.
How did Tottenham’s performance compare to past derbies?
Tottenham’s 4-1 loss was their worst defeat in the North London derby since 2014, when they lost 5-1. Their midfield was outmuscled, their pressing ineffective, and their defense disorganized. Unlike in 2023, when they pushed Arsenal to the brink, this time they looked outclassed from kickoff. Their only goal came from a defensive error—no sustained pressure, no creativity.
What’s next for Eberechi Eze and Arsenal?
Eze’s next challenge is maintaining form against Manchester City and Liverpool in December. Arsenal face a tough run: away at Brighton, then home to Manchester United. But with Eze now scoring in four consecutive matches and the team’s confidence sky-high, the pressure is on rivals to catch them—not Arsenal to prove they belong at the top.
Could Tottenham recover from this defeat?
It’s possible, but unlikely. They now trail Arsenal by six points with only two wins in their last five matches. Their defense has conceded 14 goals in the last six games. With key players like James Maddison injured and their manager under pressure, a turnaround would require not just form, but a complete tactical reset—something rarely seen mid-season in the Premier League.