Eberechi Eze Gives Five-Word Reply When Asked About Tottenham Following Arsenal Hat-Trick

Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze stole the show as Mikel Arteta’s side secured a 4-1 victory in the first North London derby of the 2025/26 season. The English midfielder, who came close to joining Tottenham Hotspur during the summer, scored the first hat-trick of his senior career, delivering a priceless reaction when asked about the possibility of signing for Spurs.

Even without key players Gabriel Magalhaes, Viktor Gyokeres, and Martin Odegaard, the league leaders handled their rivals at the Emirates Stadium comfortably, thanks largely to Eze’s brilliance. In somewhat controversial fashion, he opened the scoring in the 41st minute. He quickly followed up after the break, netting again in the 46th minute and completing his hat-trick in the 76th. Tottenham’s Richarlison briefly offered a glimmer of hope in the 55th minute, but Eze’s third goal capped a stunning individual display.

Arsenal’s squad appears hardly affected by Odegaard’s absence, with Eze thriving in the No.10 role. Against the team he nearly joined over the summer, he operated just behind makeshift striker Mikel Merino, scoring three times.

Back in August, it seemed Eze’s move to Spurs was imminent, with fees agreed and personal terms settled. However, the transfer was ultimately hijacked by his boyhood club, Arsenal, who secured the 27-year-old’s services. Reflecting on his performance, Eze said, “It’s special. I prayed for a hat-trick today and I got it, so I am grateful to God. It’s fate.” When a reporter mentioned his near-move to Spurs, Eze responded with a wry smile and five words: “Let’s not speak about that.” Notably, he became the first Arsenal player to score a hat-trick in a North London derby since Alan Sunderland in December 1978.

Eze has now contributed six goals and two assists in 11 Premier League matches this season, and his form could make it difficult for Odegaard to regain his spot once fit. Versatile enough to play through the middle or on the left, Eze has been praised by Thierry Henry as a potential obstacle to Odegaard’s return.

Meanwhile, Spurs manager Thomas Frank, who had once tried to sign Eze, couldn’t resist a cheeky dig ahead of the clash, joking, “Who’s Eze?” – only to witness the midfielder showcase the very talent he had missed out on.