Eberechi Eze scored one of the greatest hat-tricks in Arsenal history to win the north London derby and send us six points clear at the top of the table.
Leandro Trossard got us going in a dominant half-time with a turn and shot inside the area, before our summer signing took centre stage. Eze smashed home right footed from the edge of the area to double our lead, and scored another stunner just 35 seconds after the restart to send Emirates Stadium into raptures.
Richarlison pulled one back when he scored from long-range, but this day was all about Eze, and he completed his hat-trick to restore our three-goal lead, and ensure this was a derby that will never be forgotten.
Taking control
This eagerly-awaited derby got underway following a spectacular supporter-led tifo display and pre-match light show, and Declan Rice nearly lifted the roof inside three minutes.
Bukayo Saka cut in from the right and fed Eze, who cleverly lifted a pass into the area for Rice. He caught his volley crisply first time but Guglielmo Vicario saved with his legs and the rebound bounced behind for a corner.
The first 15 minutes were spent almost entirely in the visitors’ half, but with only really the Rice chance to show for it. Saka curled a free-kick just over the bar from outside the area, and 15 minutes later had another attempt from a very similar position. This time he got it on target, but Vicario pushed it away to safety.
Trossard breaks the deadlock
The visitors, who finished 17th last season, arrived with a back five, and looked to disrupt and delay the flow of the game whenever possible.
But late in the first-half we deservedly took the lead. Mikel Merino, once again operating as our centre forward, took up possession outside the area in a central position. He surveyed his options before lifting a delightful ball into the area for Trossard. He controlled, turned and squeezed his left footed shot just inside the far post.
Eze doubles up
Five minutes later it was two, and if the first goal was met with an eruption of joy inside Emirates Stadium, the second was heard loud and clear all around north London, and beyond.
Rice passed to Eze just on the edge of the area, and our summer signing showed great composure not to rush his shot. He shifted it onto his right foot then powered his shot home beyond the keeper. The boyhood Gooner coming back to the club where he started his career to score in his first ever north London derby – just beautiful.
He clearly enjoyed the moment, because just 35 seconds into the second-half, he did it again. There was space on the edge of the area for Jurrien Timber to advance. He slipped his pass to Eze and our number 10 cooly found the bottom corner. The perfect restart.
Richarlison from long-range
It was all going our way until Martin Zubimendi got caught in position just inside our own half. Richarlison picked up possession and floated a 40-yard shot just over David Raya and under the bar. It was their first shot of the game, and brought them back into the game.
The game was much more even in the second half, and the goal gave the visitors a lift.
Saka’s shot on the turn was palmed away at full stretch by Vicario and the resulting corner was scrambled away.
Eze’s dream derby
But this was Eze’s day. He completed the best hat-trick this stadium has ever witnessed with another wonderful finish into the bottom corner. It was a magical moment that will go down in north London derby folklore. In fact it’s the first hat-trick scored in this fixture for nearly 50 years, since Alan Sunderland in 1978. In fact it’s only the fourth time the matchball has ever been claimed in this most illustrious derby. He nearly got his fourth moments later. Noni Madueke – back from injury – came off the bench and set him up on the run. This time Vicario just about clawed away Eze’s shot.
But that would have been greedy. We had done enough to make it six wins out of seven against our north London rivals, and increase our lead at the top to six points after 12 games.
What’s next
We are back at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night for a top of the table clash in the Champions League league phase, when we take on Bayern Munich, with both sides looking to extend 100 per cent records at the halfway stage. Then on Sunday we head to Chelsea for a top of the table clash in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.