Eze hat-trick fires Arsenal six points clear in title statement

Arsenal dismantled Tottenham Hotspur with a dominant 4-1 win at the Emirates Stadium, producing one of their most complete derby performances of the campaign and moving six points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta’s side controlled every phase of the contest, attacked with precision and defended with aggression, while Eberechi Eze delivered a hat-trick that underlined why Arsenal fought so hard to bring him back to the club last summer.

Arsenal dictated the match from the opening whistle with Tottenham pinned deep and unable to escape the pressure.

Spurs’ decision to start with a back five signalled their intention to contain Arsenal, yet the approach collapsed the moment the hosts began to shift the ball around the defensive block with authority.

The breakthrough arrived on thirty-six minutes when Mikel Merino released Leandro Trossard with a clever threaded pass and the Belgian finished clinically after turning away from Kevin Danso.

Eze doubled the advantage shortly before half-time with a superb solo effort. He picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area, danced between two challenges and drilled a low finish beyond Guglielmo Vicario.

It was the type of individual brilliance Arsenal signed him for and it left Tottenham’s defensive organisation in tatters, with Micky van de Ven berating his teammates as Spurs struggled to keep shape.

Tottenham switched to a back four at the break but the adjustment made no difference.

Arsenal struck again within seconds of the restart when Eze collected the ball on the edge of the box and bent a left-footed curler into the bottom corner, a finish as calm as it was decisive. The Emirates erupted, and Tottenham’s brief hope of staying competitive evaporated.

Richarlison pulled one back with an outstanding long-range lob after David Raya was caught high, but the goal did little more than deny Arsenal a clean sheet. The momentum remained entirely with Arteta’s side and they responded by pushing Tottenham back once more.

Eze completed his hat-trick midway through the second half with another composed finish after drifting into space and shaping his shot past Vicario.

Arsenal continued to create chances as Spurs retreated, with Declan Rice threatening from set pieces and Eze almost adding a fourth before Vicario intervened.

Tottenham offered almost nothing in response and looked overwhelmed throughout a derby in which they failed to register a shot in the first half.

Arsenal closed out the game with control and authority, and the result reflects their growing belief as they stretch their lead at the top.

Eze’s hat-trick, the quality of the team’s build-up play and the sheer dominance over their north London rivals made this an emphatic afternoon that strengthens Arsenal’s title momentum.

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