Manny Ita –
Eberechi Eze scored twice as Arsenal defeated Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby, equalling the scoring records in the fixture set by former Gunners strikers Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie. The England international, who netted a hat-trick in the reverse meeting earlier this season, now has five goals in two league appearances against Spurs in an Arsenal shirt, matching the tallies of both club legends.
Only Robert Pires, with seven goals, and Emmanuel Adebayor have scored more for Arsenal in the derby. Eze’s latest performance helped Mikel Arteta’s side restore a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League standings.
The midfielder, who had started only 14 matches this season and had not completed 90 minutes since November, expressed satisfaction at returning to prominence. “I’m always trying to get in those positions to be ready and to find the space and to work hard to get those opportunities. It takes a lot to get there and it’s worked out today. We put in a good performance. We did what we needed to do today, which was the main thing,” he told broadcasters. Reflecting on the team’s response to a midweek draw, he added: “Yeah, for sure that’s the main thing. We know what we’re capable of. We have to play games to dominate and to win and we’ve got the players in the team to do it. Important win for us and we keep going.”
Eze also praised teammate Viktor Gyokeres, who scored twice in the match. “Vik was hoping that all game. You can see how much he helps the team. Not just with his goals, with the effort he puts in and he puts players like me in good positions and it helps a lot, and he’s got his two goals today which he deserves for sure,” he said.
The defeat deepened Tottenham’s struggles, leaving them 16th in the table and only four points above the relegation zone occupied by West Ham United. Spurs have won just seven of their 27 league matches this season. Defender Micky van de Ven acknowledged Arsenal’s superiority, saying: “Arsenal were the better team. We were still in the game at 1-1 but after the second half, they scored straight away and then it was really difficult. We could do the press a bit better. We pressed high but Arsenal came out of it. It’s something we need to work on. They were the better team today.”
He also commented on the tactical risks involved in their approach and the impact of interim manager Igor Tudor, who took charge for the fixture. “It’s a risk when you go man for man and if one man is late then you’re going to be open but when you win the ball high, there are so many options for us. But on the opposite, when they come out, it’s a big risk. He is on us all week. Every day we worked on it. It’s his first week and he wants to help us in every way. We have all the week to prepare for Fulham. We need to win the games. Step by step. We play Fulham now.”
Arsenal will next face Chelsea in another London derby, while Tottenham travel to take on Fulham as they attempt to halt their slide toward the relegation places.
