Eberechi Eze’s derby hat-trick drew high praise from Mikel Arteta, who described the forward’s impact as “a joy” after Arsenal swept aside Spurs to strengthen their grip on top spot.
Mikel Arteta said Eberechi Eze had brought “a joy, it’s an aura” to his side after the forward’s hat-trick tore Tottenham apart and pushed Arsenal six points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Eze, who was close to joining Spurs in the summer before choosing Arsenal, delivered the first north London derby hattrick in 47 years.
His goals came after Leandro Trossard had put Arsenal ahead, with Spurs unable to cope and producing an expected-goals total of just 0.07.
“I enjoyed every minute of it,” Arteta said. “Since the players came back from international duty, I sensed a feeling that they wanted to be together again, that they were ready for a fight, they were ready for a big week, and the preparation was top.
“He could have scored four or five. He’s a big player who can create magic moments which unbalance a team. I’m so happy for him, because since the day he came he brought something else to the team. It’s a joy, it’s an aura that this team needed and hopefully it will give him a lot of confidence that at any moment he can win us a game.
“When he picked up the phone, I remember last summer, he said he wanted to play for us and wanted to be part of this team. You can really sense that. Hopefully he can enjoy today and tomorrow he’s ready for Bayern Munich.”
Eze himself after the game said, “It’s crazy. It’s a special day for me, my family, and I’m happy to help the team to win,” he reflected after the final whistle at a buoyant Emirates Stadium.
“It’s so special, I can only thank God for it. For the opportunity to be here, be working and applying myself every day – it’s a special day in my life.
“We were prepared for whatever setup they were coming here with, and huge credit to the lads. It’s a good day and a good performance from the team all round.”
Spurs head coach Thomas Frank apologised to supporters after the 4-1 defeat left his side ninth. “It is extremely painful, I won’t take away from that. It was a bad performance. It was completely the opposite of what the intention was when we came here. We can only apologise to the fans,” he said.
Frank admitted his back-five approach had failed and that intensity was lacking throughout. “No matter what formation we played today, we didn’t have enough duels or intensity in the decisive moments and it is very difficult to win a football match.”
Eze’s hat-trick puts him alongside Ted Drake and Alan Sunderland as the only Arsenal players to manage the feat in this derby. Only one Spurs player has ever scored a hattrick in this game.
The Arsenal’s man’s goal also arrived a week after he scored for England against Serbia, rounding off a run of form that looks set to shift Arsenal up yet another gear.