Shortly before kick-off, the news came that Viktor Gyökeres was completely missing from Arsenal's match squad.
The striker, who recently missed the latest national team training camp due to a thigh injury, was not yet considered ready to play. In Tottenham, Lucas Bergvall was back from his concussion and was on the bench.
Arsenal dominated possession and pressured Tottenham during the opening minutes.
The goal was also coming. After 35 minutes, Leandro Trossard sneaked into the penalty area, received a pass and headed in 1–0.
Shortly afterwards, it was close again. Eberechi Eze turned away two Tottenham defenders and pushed it to 2–0.
Arsenal went into the break with a comfortable two-goal lead and needed barely a minute of the second half to extend their lead. Eze was once again given time and space on the edge of the penalty area and slotted home his second goal of the night.
However, Tottenham showed a sign of life by reducing the brass Richarlison.
The goal opened up potential nerve-wracking drama – but Eze wanted something else. The midfielder, who was close to signing for Tottenham in the summer, completed his hat-trick with a clinical finish from the penalty area with 15 minutes remaining and definitively closed the derby: 4-1.
Arsenal thus moves up in the table – while chasing Manchester City lost away to Newcastle over the weekend.
