Eberechi Eze scored a sensational hat-trick for Arsenal as they beat Tottenham 4-1 in the first north London derby of the season. Mikel Arteta’s side had too much going for the Lilywhites and by half-time the game was a contested affair.
Arsenal dominated their rivals from the start, forcing the visiting team into their own half. The hosts then took the lead nine minutes before the interval when Leandro Trossard broke free and fired a shot past Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario after a deflection from Micky van de Ven.
The Gunners took a 2-0 lead in the 41st minute when Eze turned and fired home on the edge of the box. And the England winger grabbed Arsenal’s second and third moments after the interval with another superb finish from just outside the penalty area.
After Martin Zvimendi was sent off, Tottenham took a huge leap forward when Richarlison chipped David Raya from 45 yards. However, the Gunners took three points and Eze ended the game with his team’s fourth goal. Express Sport also reviews and rates Arsenal players.
Arsenal vs Tottenham player ratings
David Raya: 5
Arsenal had the upper hand for most of the game and had nothing to do, but Richarlison forced him into no-man’s land with a shot from 45 yards. He was introduced late in the game.
Julian Timber: 9
He was a defensive rock who used his strong physique to toy with opponents. He then supported his teammate’s attack when teeing up Eze’s second.
William Saliba: 8
We had the ball a lot in the first half, so we were comfortable with the ball. He then spoke to his centre-back partner Pierro Hincapie throughout the game. At times he could have stepped forward and attacked instead of playing an easy ball.
Clown Hincapie: 8
He replaced the injured Gabriel in the center of the last line, but was not demoted as Arsenal’s defense looked as solid as ever. He was aggressive and always a threat from set pieces.
Riccardo Calafioli: 6
In the second half, when Arsenal needed to calm things down, Richarlison gave Spurs hope of a comeback before playing an erratic pass. He put in a solid performance, but was not as effective as Julian Timber on the right.
Eberechi Eze: 10
He remained unfazed in his first North London derby and exuded class from beginning to end as he scored a hat-trick. Although unplayable, he scooped up a delicious pass to Declan Rice and at one stage opened up an opportunity for his colleague. By far Arsenal’s best player on the day.
Martin Zvimendi: 6
There were several occasions when Tottenham tried to attack from the left, but he drifted to Arsenal’s right flank to support Julian Timber. However, Richarlison stole the ball and chipped it to Raya, giving the ball away unnecessarily.
Declan Rice: 9
As usual they scored with a series of great set-pieces and should have been flogged, but forced into a good save from Vicario early on. He assisted Eze’s opening goal and proved his authority from the start of the match until the end.
Bukayo Saka: 7
He has been Arsenal’s main attacking threat for many years and looked to cause Tottenham problems all afternoon with his pace and technique. However, he was unable to record a goal or assist and was overshadowed by Eze.
Mikel Merino: 7
He clipped a sensational pass to Trossard and showed off his incredible technique to set up the opening goal. He was once again asked to replace Victor Gokeres up front, creating space for his team-mates.
Leandro Trossard: 9
With a smart run, he latched on to a great pass from Mikel Merino and kept his cool to score the first goal of the game. He was a threat throughout and even provided the assist for Eze’s third goal before being replaced by Noni Maduke.
replacement
Noni Madueke: 6
He came on for Trossard with 12 minutes remaining, but it will be interesting to see how he regains his place.
Ethan Nwaneri: 6
They were given a little game time in the final stages when the match was already decided.
Cristian Mosquera: 6
In the end, I exhausted myself for a few minutes.
Miles Lewis-Skelly: 6
He has had little chance to shine this season but will need more time to regain his place in England after coming on in stoppage time in the second half.
