The North London derby witnessed the rise of a new hero, Eberechi Eze. The 27-year-old English midfielder delivered a breathtaking performance, smashing a thrilling hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur and guiding Arsenal to a commanding 4-1 victory on Sunday, 23 November 2025. The win pushed the Gunners six points clear at the top of the Premier League table after Matchday 12, strengthening their title credentials.
Through this article on 96 APK, we take you deeper into how Eze’s brilliance reshaped the derby, what his hat-trick means for Arsenal’s season, and how this victory may alter the Premier League title race.
Eberechi Eze & Arsenal connection
Throwback to when Eberechi Eze posted on Twitter (now X): “I swear imma make it and when I do, they’re gonna show this tweet lol.”
The 27-year-old left-winger wrote that message back in 2015, and it went on to receive over 94K likes and 36K reposts till writing, becoming a symbol of his belief and determination. The tweet reflects his relentless dedication toward achieving his dreams, and today, Eze has proved every word right.
From being released from Arsenal’s academy at the age of 13 to returning years later and scoring a historic hat-trick for the club in the North London Derby debut, Eberechi Eze has truly completed a remarkable full-circle journey.
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Eze’s route back to Arsenal is part romance, part football business. A product of several London academies, including an early spell at Arsenal’s youth setup, he rose to prominence at QPR. Then, Crystal Palace, before Arsenal, hijacked a late move in the summer of 2025 to sign him for a reported £67.5m (approximately £60m + add-ons). Eze has often spoken publicly, on multiple occasions, about being an Arsenal supporter as a child, so the move carried clear emotional weight for the player and supporters alike.
Hat-trick Against Tottenham
In a match that had title-race implications, the Gunners broke through via Leandro Trossard and then Eze punished Spurs with decisive finishes two either side of half-time and the clincher in the 76th minute to complete a 4-1 victory. The treble was Eze’s first senior hat-trick, and it made history: in the Premier League era, it was the first North London derby treble and the first Arsenal player to net a derby hat-trick since 1978. The win not only extended Arsenal’s unbeaten run but also underlined how quickly Eze can change a game.
This hat-trick is also officially recorded as the 400th hat-trick in Premier League history, adding another layer of significance to Eze’s unforgettable achievement.
Coach Arteta Appraises Eze’s hat-trick
The 43-year-old Gunners’ coach, Mikel Arteta, on Eze’s hat-trick: “Things happen for a reason. After international duty, he had two days off & after one day, he wanted to train. He wanted to improve & he wanted to do extra practice & he was asking me questions about this & that.”
“When a player has such a talent & his desire is at that level, then these things happen. He fully deserves it. I’m so happy for him because since the day that he came, he brought something else to the team.”
“It’s a joy, it’s an aura that this team needed & hopefully it will give a lot of confidence in him & the team, that at any moment, he can win us a game. That’s the ability that he has & he certainly needs to fulfil that talent.”
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His Stats & Record for Arsenal
Eze has made 11 appearances for Arsenal this season, starting in 9 of those matches. He has now scored 4 goals for the Gunners, including his latest hat-trick against Spurs, and has provided 2 assists. The left-winger has played 797 minutes in total and currently holds an impressive 7.35 average match rating.
Conclusion
Eberechi Eze’s hat-trick against Tottenham wasn’t just a headline; it was the crystallisation of a narrative Arsenal fans had hoped for: a childhood fan returning and delivering on the biggest stage. Tactically, he looks like a near-perfect fit for Arteta’s system; emotionally and historically, that derby treble will be referenced for years. If he sustains this level, combining creation with consistent finishing, Eze could be a season-defining signing for the Gunners.
FAQs
Q1. When did Eberechi Eze score his hat-trick for Arsenal?
Eze scored his first Premier League hat-trick on Sunday, 23 November 2025, in Arsenal’s 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby.
Q2. Why is Eze’s hat-trick historically significant?
It is recorded as the first-ever North London Derby hat-trick in Premier League history and also marked the 400th hat-trick in Premier League records, making it a landmark achievement.
Q3. How many appearances and goals has Eze made for Arsenal this season?
Eze has made 11 appearances (9 starts), scoring 4 goals and providing 2 assists, with a 7.35 average match rating across 797 minutes played.
Q4. Did Eze support Arsenal as a child?
Yes. Eze has publicly stated multiple times that he was an Arsenal fan growing up, which makes his derby hat-trick and return to the club even more meaningful.
Q5. How much did Arsenal pay to sign Eze?
Arsenal signed Eze in the summer of 2025 for a reported £67.5 million (approximately £60m + performance-based add-ons).
