Eberechi Eze netted a hat-trick as Arsenal moved six points clear at the Premier League summit courtesy of a 4-1 victory over Tottenham in a one-sided North London derby at Emirates Stadium.
The visitors deployed a back five as they looked to contain and frustrate but were unlocked on 36 minutes when Leandro Trossard brilliantly polished off Mikel Merino’s superb, lofted pass.
The Gunners then doubled their advantage prior to the interval when Eze followed up quick feet with a ferocious low strike from just inside the area.
The former Crystal Palace playmaker, who almost joined Tottenham in the summer, added a second within a minute of the restart with another rasping effort from the edge of the box.
Spurs pulled one back when Richarlison beat David Raya with a magnificent long-range lob on 55 minutes, but Eze completed his hat-trick 14 minutes from time to become the first Arsenal player to net a treble against The Lilywhites in the Premier League era.
The result sees Mikel Arteta’s men pull six points clear of second-placed Chelsea, who they face at Stamford Bridge next Sunday. Tottenham are 11 points further back from their neighbours in ninth spot having lost their first away match in the league this season.
Next up, Arsenal host Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday while Tottenham are away to holders Paris Saint-Germain.
