Eberechi Eze scored a hat-trick in his first-ever north London derby as Arsenal thrashed Tottenham 4-1 to move six points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The Gunners were on top form at the Emirates Stadium, casting their arch-rivals aside with ease as one of their summer signings starred on Sunday.
The attacking midfielder had looked poised to join Spurs in the last transfer window, but performed a spectacular U-turn after a call with Arteta which lured him to the red side of the capital.
It was a baptism of fire for Thomas Frank on his own north London derby debut, as he watched his side be decimated in front of his very eyes as Arsenal cemented their status as title favourites.
Leandro Trossard bundled home beyond Guglielmo Vicario on 36 minutes in a first half that the hosts dominated.
They started immediately on the front foot as Declan Rice stung the palms of the visiting shot-stopper after a moment of magic from Eze inside the opening minute, but the Italian produced a strong save.
Eze notched his first and Arsenal’s second as he thundered home, with Rice this time turning provider.
Frank had set up with a back five in a bid to contain the league leaders, but with his side 2-0 down at the interval, he reverted to his usual 4-2-3-1 shape.
That, however, was ripped apart inside the first few seconds of the restart, as Eze struck his second to compile the misery on the away side.
Richarlison hit what would turn out to be just a consolation when he caught out David Raya from about 35 yards, lofting over the goalkeeper, who had found himself in no-man’s land.
However, with Spurs threatening an unlikely comeback, Eze stroked home a richly-deserved third goal, which sealed his hat-trick and a sumptuous victory for the Gunners.
