On a crisp Sunday afternoon at Emirates Stadium, Arsenal turned up the heat on their bitter rivals, demolishing Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 in the first North London Derby of the 2025-26 season. The match, played on November 23, 2025, under referee Michael Oliver, wasn’t just another win—it was a statement. With Eberechi Eze scoring a stunning hat-trick and Leandro Trossard adding the opener, Arsenal surged to 26 points, six clear at the top of the Premier League. The crowd didn’t just cheer—they roared. And for Tottenham, it was another painful reminder of how far they’ve fallen in this rivalry.
Arsenal’s Dominance on Display
From the first whistle, Arsenal looked like a team possessed. No sluggish start, no hesitation. They pressed high, moved with purpose, and exploited Tottenham’s defensive gaps like a surgeon with a scalpel. Trossard opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a low, curling finish after a slick pass from Declan Rice. Just five minutes later, Eze—on loan from Crystal Palace and now the talk of North London—lashed a right-footed rocket into the bottom left corner. The stadium shook. The away end fell silent. And by halftime, the scoreline told the story: 2-0.
What made it more remarkable was the absence of Gabrielle, Arsenal’s starting center-back, sidelined with a thigh injury that could keep him out for two months. Yet the defense held firm. Mikel Merino and William Saliba stepped up, intercepting passes, clearing crosses, and even winning tackles in the final third. Tottenham’s only real threat came from João Palhinha, who earned a free kick at 43'+1' after being fouled by Merino—but it went nowhere. By the break, Arsenal had already registered 11 shots to Tottenham’s two.
Eze’s Night to Remember
The second half was pure Eze theater. In the 58th minute, he doubled his tally with a solo run—dribbling past two defenders before slotting past the keeper. By the 72nd, he completed the hat-trick, this time from a rebound after a Martin Ødegaard free kick struck the post. The crowd chanted his name. Social media exploded. Even former Arsenal legends took to Twitter: “This is what you build a team around,” wrote Thierry Henry.
Tottenham pulled one back in the 81st through James Maddison, a curling effort that gave them a fleeting hope. But it was too little, too late. Arsenal sealed it in stoppage time when substitute Bukayo Saka intercepted a misplaced pass and raced clear to bury the fourth. The final whistle brought a chorus of “Arsenal! Arsenal!” that echoed across the city.
Historical Weight and Rising Stakes
This wasn’t just a win—it was a continuation of a trend. Since 2017, Tottenham have won just one of their last 32 league visits to Emirates Stadium. That statistic isn’t just a number. It’s a psychological burden. For a club that once dreamed of dethroning Arsenal, it’s become a haunting pattern. Meanwhile, Arsenal have now gone unbeaten in 11 Premier League matches (8W, 2D, 1L), with a goal difference of +15. They’re not just leading the table—they’re building momentum.
Chelsea sit six points back at 23, Manchester City seven behind at 22, and Manchester United and Liverpool, both on 18, are already struggling to keep pace. The gap isn’t just in points—it’s in belief. Tottenham, meanwhile, remain fifth, their +9 goal difference looking increasingly fragile. Their midfield, once a strength, looked disjointed. Their defense, exposed.
What Comes Next?
Arsenal face a tough run: home against Manchester United, then away at Real Madrid in the Champions League, followed by a trip to Newcastle. But with Eze in form, Rice controlling the tempo, and Mikel Arteta’s side playing with a rare blend of discipline and flair, they look like genuine title contenders. For Tottenham, the questions are louder: Can Antonio Conte fix this? Is this a rebuild—or a retreat? The fans are already asking.
The Virtual Mirage
Amid the real-world drama, a curious footnote emerged. A YouTube video titled “Arsenal vs Tottenham | English Premier League 2025/26,” posted by a channel called Football Gamer Rony, claimed to show the match—but it was just a simulation from eFootball PES 2021. The creator openly admitted it was “NOT a footage of any real-life football match.” Yet, some fans still shared it as if it were real. A reminder that in the age of AI and deepfakes, even football fans sometimes confuse fiction with fact.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Eberechi Eze’s hat-trick impact Arsenal’s title chances?
Eze’s hat-trick wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was a catalyst. His three goals contributed directly to Arsenal’s six-point lead, and his form has made him the league’s top scorer among midfielders with 11 goals in 11 games. Before this match, he was a fringe player. Now, he’s a frontrunner for Player of the Season. His confidence has lifted the entire squad, and Arteta has already hinted at extending his loan beyond January.
Why has Tottenham struggled so badly at Emirates Stadium?
Tottenham’s last league win at Emirates came in 2017—a 3-1 result under Mauricio Pochettino. Since then, they’ve lost 24 and drawn seven. The reasons? Arsenal’s tactical discipline, the home crowd’s intensity, and a psychological edge that’s hardened over time. Even when Tottenham have had better players on paper, they’ve folded under pressure. This defeat was the 12th loss in their last 14 away matches against Arsenal in all competitions.
What’s the significance of Gabrielle’s injury for Arsenal’s title push?
Gabrielle’s absence is a major concern. He’s been Arsenal’s most consistent defender, averaging 4.2 clearances and 3.1 interceptions per game. His replacement, William Saliba, is talented but less experienced in high-pressure derbies. Without Gabrielle, Arsenal’s backline has become more vulnerable to counterattacks—something teams like Manchester City and Liverpool will exploit. The club is reportedly scouting two center-backs in January, but finding a suitable replacement won’t be easy.
How does this result affect the Premier League title race?
Arsenal’s win has turned the title race into a two-horse race—between them and Chelsea. Manchester City, despite their +14 goal difference, have lost four games already and look inconsistent. Liverpool and Manchester United are too far behind to be considered serious threats. With Arsenal now having the best defensive record in the top six (only 7 goals conceded), and Eze’s goalscoring form, they’re the only team playing with both structure and flair.
Was the match officiated fairly?
Referee Michael Oliver was largely unremarkable—and that’s a good thing. He issued only two yellow cards, both to Tottenham players (Palhinha and Maddison), and made no controversial penalty decisions. VAR reviewed two incidents: a potential handball by Saka in the 64th minute (ruled not deliberate) and a foul on Eze in the box (no penalty given). Post-match analysis by the PGMOL confirmed all decisions were correct. No red cards, no drama—just clean, authoritative refereeing.
Where can fans watch full match replays legally?
Full match replays, highlights, and extended commentary are available on Peacock TV in the U.S. and Sky Sports in the UK. NBC Sports’ YouTube channel offers free highlights, but full 90-minute streams require a subscription. Be wary of unofficial uploads—many are simulations or edited clips, like the eFootball PES video that falsely circulated online.