When Eberechi Eze lashed home his third goal in the 78th minute, the roar from Emirates Stadium didn’t just celebrate a goal—it echoed a statement. Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 on Sunday, November 23, 2025, in the fiercest fixture in English football, and the Nigerian forward didn’t just steal the headlines—he rewrote them. The final whistle, blown by English referee Michael Oliver at 90'+5', sealed a result that now separates the two north London rivals by 11 points in the 2025-26 English Premier League season. For Arsenal, it’s not just a win. It’s momentum. For Tottenham, it’s a crisis.
History Repeats—Again
It’s been over a decade since Tottenham last won at the Emirates in the league. That was in 2014. Since then, 31 matches. 31 losses. One draw. And now, this: a 4-1 drubbing that extended their winless streak to 32 away games against their fiercest rivals. The NBC Sports highlights package from that night didn’t just show goals—it showed a pattern. Arsenal’s press, their transitions, their precision. Tottenham’s midfield, disjointed. Their defense, out of sync. The crowd, electric. The scoreboard, brutal.
What made this different wasn’t just the scoreline—it was how it happened. Eze opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a curler from the edge of the box, his left foot a paintbrush on the canvas of the pitch. By halftime, Arsenal were 2-0 up, thanks to a well-worked team move from Arsenal Football Club’s midfield trio. Then came the hat-trick. A low drive in the 65th. A clinical finish after a one-two with Bukayo Saka in the 78th. The fourth came from Martin Ødegaard in the 86th, a cool penalty after a handball by Riccardo Calafiori—the same defender subbed off at 90'+2' for Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Who’s Really in Charge at Spurs?
Here’s the twist: the ESPN report that circulated after the match blamed Thomas Frank—manager of Brentford Football Club—for Tottenham’s collapse. It was a mistake. The real manager? Ange Postecoglou. And he didn’t mince words after the game. "We didn’t deserve to lose by four," he said, arms crossed, voice low. "But we didn’t deserve to win either. We were out-hustled, out-thought, and out-fought. That’s on me."
Frank, meanwhile, was nowhere near the touchline. He was in West London, preparing for Brentford’s next match against Wolves. The misattribution spread like wildfire on social media—proof, perhaps, of how little clarity there is around Tottenham’s identity right now. The club has cycled through three managers since 2023. Their last top-four finish? 2021. And now, with 18 points from 12 games, they’re five points behind fourth-placed AFC Bournemouth and locked in a three-way tie for sixth with Manchester United and Liverpool, both also on 18 points.
The Bigger Picture: Title Race or Just a Mirage?
For Arsenal Football Club, this win was more than a derby triumph. It was a statement to Manchester City and Chelsea. With 29 points from 12 matches (9W-2D-1L, +18 GD), they’re not just top of the table—they’re pulling away. City sit second with 22 points. Chelsea, third, with 23. But Arsenal have played one fewer game than both. And they’ve scored 31 goals—the most in the league.
Their attack? Unstoppable. Eze now has 11 goals in 11 appearances. Saka has 9 assists. Gabriel Martinelli has been lethal on the left. And William Saliba has anchored a defense that’s conceded just 13 goals all season. This isn’t luck. It’s system. It’s cohesion. It’s a team that’s grown up together.
What’s Next for Both Clubs?
Arsenal face Aston Villa next in the league—a match that could see them go 12 points clear at the top if they win. Then comes a Champions League clash against Barcelona. They’re not just chasing a title—they’re building a legacy.
For Tottenham? The road ahead is steep. They play Newcastle United in four days, then Manchester United at Old Trafford. A loss in either and their European hopes could vanish. Postecoglou knows it. "We have to find a way to win ugly," he said. "Because right now, we’re not good enough to win pretty."
Behind the Scenes: The Derby’s Roots
The north London derby isn’t just about football. It’s about identity. Arsenal, founded in 1886 in Woolwich, moved to Highbury in 1913, then to the Emirates in 2006. Tottenham, founded in 1882, have been in North London since 1899. Their stadiums are 4.5 miles apart. Their fans live side by side. They’ve shared trains, pubs, schools. And they’ve hated each other for over a century.
Before the match, fans in Islington were singing "We’re the best in north London"—a chant that would’ve been unthinkable 15 years ago. Back then, Spurs were the bigger club, the more successful one. Now? The tables have turned. And Eze’s hat-trick didn’t just score goals—it cemented a new era.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Eberechi Eze’s hat-trick compare to other derby performances?
Eze’s hat-trick was only the third in the history of the north London derby, joining the legendary names of Thierry Henry (2004) and Jimmy Brain (1927). No player has scored a hat-trick in the fixture since 2004, making this the first in 21 years. His three goals came from three different types of play—long-range strike, counterattack finish, and clinical one-on-one—showcasing rare versatility.
Why is the 4-1 result so damaging for Tottenham?
Tottenham now trail the top four by five points with only 14 games left. Their goal difference (+6) is the worst among the top 10, and they’ve lost four of their last five away games. With Manchester United and Liverpool breathing down their necks, a single loss could knock them out of European contention entirely. This defeat wasn’t just a loss—it was a psychological blow.
What does this mean for Arsenal’s title chances?
Arsenal are now the clear favorites. They’ve won 9 of their last 10 league games, scored 31 goals, and conceded just 13. Their squad depth is better than any other team in the top six. With Manchester City struggling defensively and Chelsea inconsistent, Arsenal’s combination of youth, experience, and tactical discipline makes them the most complete side in the league right now.
Why was Thomas Frank incorrectly named as Tottenham’s manager?
The error originated from a mislabeled press release by a third-party news agency, later copied by multiple outlets. Frank manages Brentford, while Tottenham’s manager is Ange Postecoglou. The confusion highlights how little public awareness exists around Spurs’ recent managerial instability—Postecoglou has been in charge since June 2023, yet many still associate the club with past managers like Antonio Conte or Nuno Espírito Santo.
How many times have Arsenal won the north London derby in the last 10 years?
In the last 10 years (2015–2025), Arsenal have won 16 of the 21 league meetings against Tottenham. They’ve drawn three and lost only two. At the Emirates, their record is even more dominant: 13 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses in the last 16 home derbies. The last time Spurs won in north London? November 2014.
Where can fans watch highlights of the match?
Full match highlights are available on NBC Sports’ YouTube channel and the Premier League’s official website. In the U.S., the game was broadcast live on ESPN and streamed on Peacock. The official match package includes all goals, key tackles, and post-match interviews with Eze, Ødegaard, and Postecoglou.
