Arsenal's 4-1 Derby Delirium: Arteta Rejoices as Ezi Hits a Hat-Trick

Arsenal's Derby Victory at the Emirates

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted he was thrilled by the convincing 4-1 win over their north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League’s twelfth round. The night belonged to Ezi, who completed a hat-trick with goals in the 41st, 46th, and 76th minutes, after Leandro Trossard had given the Gunners the lead in the 36th minute.

Tottenham pulled one back through Richarlison in the 55th minute, a striking effort from distance that skipped past the goalkeeper. The result left Arsenal on 29 points at the summit, while Spurs lingered on 18 points in ninth place. The win extended Arsenal's lead to six points over Chelsea, seven over Manchester City, and eight over Aston Villa in the race for the top spot.

Arteta reflected on the performance, saying, "I enjoyed every minute of the game—the preparation, the intensity, the joy, the hunger. When we play in our style and win the goals we planned, it always makes for a very special day." He also noted the need for patience and cohesion, adding, "We started with high energy and pressed well; in the second half we remained solid. There are aspects to improve, but the overall performance was brilliant."

He explained the tactical adjustment that followed Gabriel’s injury, stating, "We prepared to play with five at the back after the setback, and the players delivered outstandingly." Arteta also touched on the transfer window and squad depth, saying, "We had support from the club during a busy period, and the structure around the signings allowed us to respond well to challenges."

Further praise went to the wider group, with special acknowledgment for Trossard and other contributors who helped Arsenal control the match and convert chances. Arteta stressed the importance of starting strongly, maintaining intensity, and building a stable performance through the match, even as the team faced momentary disruption.

Regarding Ez i’s performance, the coach highlighted the significance of the signing for the squad, noting the collective effort and the impact of having versatile options to navigate a demanding season. The post-match focus remained on the team’s process, execution, and the ability to translate training into match-day success.

Match Statistics and Records

Statistical highlights confirmed that this was the first time Arsenal had defeated Tottenham in four consecutive Premier League meetings. Ezi’s treble marked the first time an Arsenal player had netted a two-goal haul against Spurs in the league since Aubameyang in late 2018, and it placed him among a select few who have scored a hat-trick in the North London derby.

Historically significant notes included Richarlison becoming Spurs’ top-scoring South American in the Premier League with 21 goals, and his long-range strike (approximately 35.3 yards) being the deepest goal in North London derby history since 2008. The evening also featured references to historic milestones, with analysts noting the 400th Premier League hat-trick across the competition’s history and Arsenal’s tally reaching 23 players to achieve a similar feat for the club.

In the wider Premier League context, Arsenal’s position at the top of the table looked more secure, while Tottenham left with improvements to be made in both attack and balance across the season’s remaining fixtures. The night at the Emirates provided a vivid reminder of the intensity and drama typical of this derby, with Arsenal fans leaving the stadium buoyant and Tottenham searching for answers.

Punchline time: If football were a stand-up routine, Arsenal just delivered a five-set victory—and Spurs left wondering where the encore is scheduled. Punchline two: Spurs may need a bigger trophy cabinet, because their current shelf space is clearly booked for a long, long season of near-misses.