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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Arsenal: Thierry Henry reacts to Eberechi Eze hat-trick with warning to Martin Odegaard

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has reacted to Eberechi Eze’s stunning north London derby hat-trick by issuing a warning to Martin Odegaard.

A dominant 4-1 victory over Spurs saw Eze produce a man-of-the-match display and take home the match ball as the Gunners moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

The Gunners finally broke down a stern Tottenham rearguard thanks to a deflected effort from Leandro Trossard before Eze took over.

The England midfielder, who was heavily linked with a move to Spurs in the summer, doubled Arsenal’s lead four minutes from half-time and then increased it further inside the opening minute of the second half.

After Richarlison had pulled one back for the visitors with a superb long-range strike, Eze setted the derby in the home side’s favour as he completing his hat-trick with 14 minutes remaining.

Eze once again started in a central role for Arsenal in the continued absence of club captain Odegaard.

While the Norwegian is nearing a return to action following a knee injury, Henry, speaking on Sky Sports, has suggested the playmaker is no longer a guaranteed starter.

Henry said: “By the way if I was Martin Odegaard. I said it, this guy is a 10 for me, he’s not a winger, he’s a 10.

“He needs to be in the middle of the park he showed it tonight so that’s what you want healthy competition that’ what you want.”

Martin Odegaard arrived with the Arsenal squad ahead of the north London derby (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

A delighted Eze revealed that he prayed for a hat-trick prior to Sunday’s derby showdown.

“That’s a good one man,’ he told Sky Sports. “Enjoyable day. Happy to help the team and to win today was a special.

“It’s special. I am grateful. I prayed for it. This is what I pray for. I prayed for a hat-trick so I am grateful to God.

“That was the prayer today. God gave it to me and that is faith, man. All my family is here and that makes it even more special for me.”

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