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Eze's derby heroics redefine his Arsenal career
Eberechi Eze didn't just arrive at Arsenal-he announced himself with a thunderous hat-trick in Sunday's 4-1 demolition of Tottenham, a performance that will forever alter his standing at the club. The 27-year-old, a lifelong Gunners fan, became the first player since 1978 to net three times in the north London derby, doing so with an effortless flair that left Spurs defenseless and Arsenal supporters euphoric.
While his talent was never in doubt-honored during his Crystal Palace days and glimpsed in early Arsenal cameos-Sunday's display was the ultimate litmus test. Big clubs demand big-game brilliance, and Eze delivered in spades. His finishing was clinical, his movement mesmerizing, and his two-footed elegance carved open a deep-sitting Tottenham side precisely as Mikel Arteta had envisioned when signing him.
"He's a 'wow footballer'-the kind who makes the game look deceptively simple. His hat-trick wasn't just skill; it was artistry."
Danny Murphy, Match of the Day
The fan who became a hero
For Eze, the moment carries added weight. As an Arsenal supporter, he understands the derby's significance better than most. His goals didn't just secure three points; they etched his name into club folklore, much like Danny Murphy's 2000 winner for Liverpool against Manchester United-a strike that elevated his status among fans overnight. "When you deliver in these fixtures," Murphy reflected, "the supporters see you differently. You're no longer just a player; you're their player."
Eze's immediate future will be buoyed by this confidence. Whether facing Bayern Munich in the Champions League or Chelsea next weekend, he'll step onto the pitch with the crowd's adoration as his armor. "You feel invincible," Murphy noted. "The ball finds you. You think, 'Give it to me-what's next?'" That swagger, combined with his humility-exemplified by his defensive hustle even after completing his hat-trick-makes him a fan favorite and a manager's dream.
From academy reject to Arsenal's game-changer
Eze's journey amplifies the triumph. Released by Arsenal's academy at 13, he clawed his way back to the club via Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace, his perseverance culminating in Sunday's masterclass. His 21 goal involvements this season-trailing only Erling Haaland (25), Mohamed Salah (23), and Bryan Mbeumo (21)-underscore his impact. "He's the creative spark Arteta can trust," Murphy said. "A game-changer."
The irony? Spurs, who pursued Eze last summer, watched helplessly as he dismantled them. His hat-trick was the exclamation point on a dominant Arsenal performance, but the victory was a squad effort. Jurrien Timber's marauding runs at right-back drew comparisons to Achraf Hakimi, while Mikel Merino-deployed as a false nine-tormented the Spurs defense. Even defensive substitutes like Piero Hincapie, filling in for Gabriel, looked assured, showcasing Arsenal's newfound depth.
Arteta's relentless machine
Under Arteta, Arsenal have forged a team where no player hides. The work rate is non-negotiable: from Viktor Gyokeres' pressing (despite injury) to Timber's defensive tracking, every cog in the system operates at maximum intensity. "They don't just outplay you; they outwork you," Murphy observed. "Even on an off day with the ball, their defensive shape never wavers."
This mental and physical resilience has transformed Arsenal from perennial runners-up to title favorites. The squad's competition for places-Eze and Martin Ødegaard vying for the No. 10 role, Mosquera and Hincapie deputizing seamlessly-has sharpened their edge. "They look like a powerhouse," Murphy admitted. "Right now, it's hard to see who stops them."
What's next
Eze's challenge will be sustaining this momentum without complacency. "The danger is thinking you're unstoppable," Murphy cautioned. "But he's too grounded for that." For Arsenal, the dilemma is a luxurious one: how to fit Eze, Ødegaard, and a surging collective into Arteta's starting XI. As Murphy put it, "It's a great problem to have."
