James Goldman
Published November 23, 2025 7:38pm
Updated November 23, 2025 8:08pm
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Jamie Carragher admits he got it badly wrong over Arsenal star Eberechi Eze (Picture: Sky Sports)
Jamie Carragher admits he underestimated Eberechi Eze and believe he is the player who can fire Arsenal to the Premier League title after his hat-trick in Sunday’s 4-1 win over Tottenham.
Having come close to joining Spurs in the summer, before Mikel Arteta intervened and brought the England international back to his boyhood club,it was perhaps written in the starts that Eze would make a decisive contribution against Spurs.
In the absence of skipper Martin Odegaard, the 27-year-old was handed the opportunity to flourish in his preferred No.10 role and he repaid Arteta’s faith with a stunning all-round display, regardless of his ruthless finishing.
Arsenal invested heavily in their squad over the course of the transfer window with the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke all representing headline grabbing additions.
Carragher, however, felt Eze was destined to play a supporting role behind Odegaard but on the evidence of Sunday’s man of the match performance he confessed he may well have got it wrong.
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He said: ‘When Eze came in, I thought, okay, maybe it’s not a game changer.
‘And Les [Ferdinand] knows him a lot better than me. He still said earlier on the show, there’s still more to come. But then we still seen some of his highlights this season.
Metro at the Match: Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham
@metrosportukEze owns North London 🔴 Arsenal beat Tottenham 4-1 in the first North London Derby of the season thanks to an Eberechi Eze hat-trick and a Leandro Trossard goal. The Gunners are now six points clear at the top of the Premier League, and seven ahead of Manchester City. #arsenal #tottenham #northlondonderby #premierleague #eze
♬ original sound – Metro Sport
It just had to be Eze
A first north London derby and what a way to announce yourself against the club that almost signed him in the summer. Eberechi Eze was given license to roam and find space, and he repaid that faith with two well-taken finishes.
Trossard continues to go under the radar
The Belgian was kept quiet in the first 30 minutes, but a superbly timed run and finish gave Arsenal the lead and Leandro Trossard his fifth goal contribution in ten games. Arteta will find him hard to drop even as Madueke and Martinelli return to full fitness.
Hincapie impresses in Gabriel’s absence
Piero Hincapie delivered an assured performance in his first league start (Picture: Getty)
Given his first league start since joining in the summer, Piero Hincapie proved exactly why Arteta previously described him as a ‘warrior’. The Ecuadorian didn’t have loads to do but threw himself at every ball and challenge when it came hs way.
Full Arsenal player ratings: Raya 7, Timber 7, Saliba 6, Hincapie 7, Calafiori 6, Zubimendi 6, Rice 7, Eze 9, Saka 7, Merino 7, Trossard 6. Subs: Madueke N/A,Nwaneri N/A, Mosquera N/A, Lewis-Skelly N/A.
Danso fails to deliver
Kevin Danso lined up alongside Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero as Frank opted for a back-five against Arsenal, but a nervy display from the Austrian only got worse when he allowed Trossard to ghost in behind him for the opener. No surprise he didn’t re-emerge after the break.
Odobert anonymous
Wilson Odobert struggled down the Spurs left (Picture: Getty)
The young Frenchman was given the opportunity in Tottenham’s front three, but struggled to have any impact on the game before making way in the second half. The left side of Spurs’ attack remains one area where Frank is yet to find his preferred man.
Vicario the only positive
Perhaps the only saving grace for Tottenham was that it was only the four goals shipped to their arch rivals. For that, they have Vicario to thank, who, while still unconvincing on the ball, remains a superb shot-stopper, denying Eze and Rice superbly either side of the half.
Full Tottenham player ratings: Vicario 6, Spence 5, Romero 5, Van de Ven 5, Danso 3, Udoig 4, Palhinha 6, Bentancur 5, Kudus 5, Odobert 3, Richarlison 6. Subs: Simons 5, Sarr 5, Kolo Muani 5, Porro N/A, Johnson N/A.
Ratings by Ben Fleming livefrom the Emirates
‘There were still a few great goals in there, and then he goes and scores a hat-trick. So apologies.
‘I certainly undervalued the importance of that signing because he looks like he could make the real difference for Arsenal this season and going on to win the title.
‘And apart from the sort of skill he’s scoring the goals and his overall contribution to the game.’
Arsenal’s matchwinner, meanwhile, could hardly believe the perfect day he had envisaged and prayed for had come to be.
Eberechi Eze said his second goal was his favourite of his three against Tottenham (Credits: REUTERS)
He said: ‘That is crazy. Special day man. Special day for me, my family.
‘I don’t think I could’ve ever dreamt of it. This is more special than that. I can only thank God. Special day, man.
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‘We were prepared for whatever set up they were coming with because of the diligence of our staff. Huge credit to them. And of course the players in our team, the ability, the talent, from whatever angle we’re threatening to score goals.
‘Good performance, good three points and a special day.
‘I probably should’ve scored four to be honest. I’m always trying to score, always trying to take my chances. It’s important to be relentless.
‘We’re focused on ourselves, we’re focused on putting in our work every day. It’s not by chance that we perform like this.’
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