Arsenal’s £60m deadline-day signing Eberechi Eze lit up his first North London derby with a sensational hat-trick in a 4–1 win over Tottenham, instantly repaying the faith placed in him after his move from Crystal Palace.
The boyhood Arsenal fan struck twice from the edge of the area and completed his treble with a precise finish past Guglielmo Vicario, delivering his biggest statement yet in an Arsenal shirt.
His display pushed the Gunners six points clear at the top, extending their unbeaten league run to nine matches.
Mikel Arteta praised the 27-year-old’s hunger, revealing Eze had even requested extra training sessions after returning from international duty.
The manager believes his match-winning qualities close to goal can become a central pillar of Arsenal’s title push.
With Liverpool faltering and Manchester City slipping up at the weekend, Arsenal look well-placed in the race for a first league crown since 2004.
Arteta, however, insisted his side will stay focused, calling the derby triumph “a good start” after the international break.
