Eberechi Eze bagged an emphatic hat-trick as Arsenal thrashed Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening.
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There were few more eager for this weekend’s north London derby than Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank. The charismatic Spurs boss appeared to be relishing the challenge of his first meeting with the Gunners in his pre-match press conference last week.
There was one particular moment from Frank that made the headlines and set social media talking. Somewhat inevitably, the coach was asked about Arsenal star Eberechi Eze with the midfielder having almost made the move to Spurs this summer.
When questioned whether he thought the club had secured the signing of the England international before the Arsenal move, Frank kept a straight face and said: “Who’s Eze.”
Thomas Frank must regret ‘first aura moment’ after Arsenal defeat
That response prompted an outbreak of laughter from the reporters in the room, catching onto the joke, before Frank added: “Very good player. He plays for Arsenal – a team we want to beat on Sunday."
It took social media no time to latch onto the joke from Frank with one football fan taking to social media platform X to write: “First Thomas Frank aura moment of the season.”
That post was seen by over 75,000 people ahead of the clash on Sunday and it’s no doubt a quote that Frank is living to regret. Eze was the star man as Arsenal romped to victory, scoring a hat-trick in the 4-1 win.
The last player to score a hat-trick in the north London derby was Alan Sunderland, doing so in December 1978. Eze is writing his name in footballing folklore.
Eze was rated a perfect 10/10 by The Standard for his performance. The outlet wrote: “Quite simply, a dream afternoon for the midfielder and boyhood Arsenal fan. A hat-trick in his first ever north London derby. He is only the fourth player in history to achieve that feat.”
Eberechi Eze admits Tottenham Hotspur transfer snub
As Frank watched his Spurs players put in a whimpering performance, he no doubt felt the pain of missing out on the transfer more than ever before. Arsenal paid £67.5 million to sign the player for Crystal Palace just as it appeared Eze would be heading to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The player himself has opened up on how easily he spurned Spurs interest as he looked to leave Selhurst Park. Last month, he said: “I was prepared to go to Tottenham, but from the moment Arsenal came, it was always going to be them.
“My first [senior] Arsenal game was special. It almost didn’t feel real because it’s something I’ve been dreaming of for a long time. Playing for Arsenal from eight to 13, it’s been in the back of my mind wanting to go back. It felt like the realisation of a dream.”
Frank had been previously prickly when asked about the Eze transfer, insisting that it is something he does not regret. The former Brentford boss had said: “There's been a lot of rumours – and a lot of times where there's nothing in it. There must be someone out there who thinks it's good fun to put the rumours out there.
"There's been a lot of links and will continue to be. To be very general, I don't want any players who don't want to come to the club. If they don't want to come here and wear this fantastic badge, we don't want them here. That's very clear, and I imagine the fans feel exactly the same. That's a key message."
It’s a noble stance but, after Sunday night, it’s clear that the foiled Eze transfer should be one the club does regret.
In other news, 'I Don't Understand': Tottenham legend Les Ferdinand slams referee decision for Arsenal goal.