Arsenal thumped Tottenham 4-1 in the north London derby at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners dominated the game from the start and broke the deadlock when Leandro Trossard scored after latching on to Mikel Merino’s deft through ball.
Eberechi Eze, who was close to joining Spurs in the summer, doubled his side’s lead minutes later with a smart finish before he added a second straight after half-time.
Tottenham hit back when Richarlison lobbed David Raya from just inside Arsenal’s half, but Eze completed his hat-trick with another classy strike to send the home fans into dreamland.
The result left Mikel Arteta’s side six points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge next weekend.
Daily Mail Sport’s ISAAN KHAN was at the Emirates and he has rated both sets of players.
ARSENAL (4-3-3):
DAVID RAYA: 6
Spurs could barely muster a threatening attempt at goal before Richarlison’s wonder effort, which beat him from near the halfway line. Raya was in no man’s land.
JURRIEN TIMBER: 7
Caused plenty of havoc in final third. Was able to focus on the attacking elements.
WILLIAM SALIBA: 6.5
Didn’t have much to do deal with around the area but kept composed in terms of positioning.
PIERO HINCAPIE: 6.5
Slotted in confidently in place of the injured Gabriel. Kept looking to get play forward with floating long balls over the top.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI: 6.5
Unpredictable in his movement and occupied many different positions in the final third which kept the opposition on edge.
DECLAN RICE: 7.5
Very nearly put Arsenal ahead on three minutes with a sublime volley. Assisted Eberechi Eze’s first goal with a neat pass and completely overran Spurs.
MARTIN ZUBIMENDI: 7
Lynchpin of Arsenal’s midfield dominance. Pressed hard and kept wanting to get on the ball. Dropped into right back at times as cover.
EBERECHI EZE: 9
A reflection of why Arsenal bought this mercurial talent, striking a hat-trick to settle this match. Showed brilliant feet to get out of a tight area and strike his first past Vicario, before two calmly-slotted strikes in the second half.
BUKAYO SAKA: 7
Looked dangerous whenever he got on the ball, dribbling past players with ease at times. Lots of battling with Destiny Udogie. Had a free-kick on 33 minutes that was arrowing into the top corner but was parried away.
MIKEL MERINO: 7
Sublime assist over the top for Leandro Trossard’s goal. That piece of magic opened up the game for his side.
LEANDRO TROSSARD: 7.5
A constant threat between the lines and rewarded with a goal as his clever swivel and shot in the box deflected off a Spurs’ player’s leg to go in.
Manager –
MIKEL ARTETA: 7.5
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (5-4-1):
GUGLIELMO VICARIO: 5.5
Top save to deny Rice from close range on three minutes, but should have done better on Eze’s first strike which was very close to him. Good handling on aerial deliveries.
DJED SPENCE: 5.5
Run ragged at times by Trossard but also put in some crunching tackles. A difficult shift with the Gunners on top throughout.
KEVIN DANSO: 5.5
A tough time against an Arsenal attack who were rampant. Sacrificed for Xavi Simons at half-time.
CRISTIAN ROMERO: 5.5
Poor on Eze’s first goal. Should have got to the ball first as the forward went to strike it.
MICKY VAN DE VEN: 5.5
Was helped by having sheer numbers back behind the ball, but was stuck between many different tasks.
DESTINY UDOGIE: 6.5
Spurs’ best defender today. He kept getting stuck into tackles in an energetic performance but he committed a number of fouls and crossed the line at times, although Udogie never gave up.
MOHAMMED KUDUS: 5
An off day. Barely had any impact in the final third. Game went by him.
JOAO PALHINHA: 6.5
Was all over the pitch, putting in tackles and haring around. It was his tackle that set Richarlison up for his stunning goal.
RODRIGO BENTANCUR: 5.5
Out-skilled by Eze on his first goal. Kept chasing after the game, but was overwhelmed by the opposition.
WILSON ODOBERT: 5
Barely got on the ball or had any impact on play. Went missing.
RICHARLISON: 6
His side were camped back leaving the Brazilian retreating back to get touches on the ball. Scored a stunning goal near the halfway line to give his team scant hope.
Substitutes:
XAVI SIMONS: 5.5
PAPE MATAR SARR: 6
RANDAL KOLO MUANI: 6
Manager –
THOMAS FRANK: 5
Referee –
MICHAEL OLIVER: 6
