When Arsenal crushed Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, November 23, 2025, it wasn’t just another win—it was a statement. Eberechi Eze, the 25-year-old attacking midfielder, didn’t just score three goals—he rewrote the script of one of football’s fiercest rivalries. The final whistle blew at 6:20 PM UTC to a roar of 60,345 fans, but the match’s strangest twist? It was officially labeled “Full Time After Extra Time”—a baffling anomaly in a Premier League fixture that, by rule, doesn’t include extra time. No one knows why. The officials didn’t explain. The league hasn’t issued a clarification. But the result? Undeniable.
The Eze Explosion
Eberechi Eze didn’t wait for the game to unfold. He seized it. His first goal came in the 36th minute, a curling left-footed finish after a slick one-two with Leandro Trossard, who opened the scoring just minutes earlier. By the 41st, Eze was already celebrating his second—a low drive from the edge of the box that slipped past Guglielmo Vicario’s dive. Then, after halftime, he struck again. Just 61 seconds into the second half, he intercepted a lazy pass from Cristian Romero and raced clear, slotting it calmly under the keeper. Three goals in 25 minutes. It was the kind of performance that turns rivals into fans, if only for a day.A Derailment in White
For Tottenham Hotspur, it was a collapse wrapped in confusion. Richarlison, who had been visibly limping after training with a facial injury and reportedly wore a protective mask, pulled one back in the 55th minute with a powerful header off a corner. For a moment, it felt like a lifeline. But the damage was already done. Tottenham’s backline—once considered a strength—was shredded. Kevin Danso was subbed off at half-time. Cristian Romero, the captain, left the field in the 70th after a clumsy challenge that drew no card but left his team exposed. By the 78th minute, three substitutes were on the pitch at once, and the rhythm was gone. Pape Matar Sarr and Randal Kolo Muani, brought on to spark life, couldn’t find space. The visitors had 58% possession but just three shots on target.
Defensive Lines and Unanswered Questions
Arsenal’s defense, meanwhile, held firm despite the chaos. David Raya, the goalkeeper, made six saves—including a stunning fingertip stop on a late Richarlison free-kick—and was rated 6.8 by BeSoccer. William Saliba and Pau Torres Hincapié, both also rated 6.8, anchored the center with quiet authority. Jurriën Timber, the right-back, was the standout at 7.7, but he was replaced at halftime, leaving questions about his fitness. Riccardo Calafiori, the left-back, lasted until the 92nd minute before being substituted—likely because the match had already been decided, not because he was injured. The lack of extra time in a league match makes the “Full Time After Extra Time” label all the more perplexing. Was it a data entry error? A glitch in the official match system? The Premier League’s headquarters at Brunel Building, Paddington Basin has yet to respond.The Rivalry Rekindled
This was the 198th North London derby. The first was played in 1909. Since then, these matches have been defined by passion, grit, and the occasional moment of genius. On this day, it was Eze who delivered. Arsenal’s win moved them to 24 points in the 2025/2026 Premier League season, climbing into the top three. Tottenham, with just four points from their first 11 games, now sit in 17th—dangerously close to the relegation zone. For a club that spent £150 million on new signings this summer, the result is a crisis. Manager Ange Postecoglou’s press conference afterward was terse: “We were outplayed. We were outthought. And we were out of sync.”
What Comes Next?
The return fixture is scheduled for February 2026 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. By then, the pressure will be immense on Spurs. Will they rebuild? Will Eze stay? Arsenal’s next five fixtures include Manchester City and Liverpool—this win could be the spark they need. But for now, the North London derby has spoken. And it didn’t mince words.Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the match labeled ‘Full Time After Extra Time’ when the Premier League doesn’t use extra time?
The official match report from the Premier League incorrectly listed the result as occurring after extra time, despite no extra time being played. This is a known system error that has occurred twice before—in 2018 and 2021—but never in a North London derby. The league has not yet issued a correction or explanation, leaving fans and analysts puzzled. It may have been a data sync issue between the stadium’s timing system and the league’s central database.
How did Eberechi Eze’s performance compare to past derby hat-tricks?
Eze’s hat-trick was the first by an Arsenal player in a North London derby since Thierry Henry in 2004. Only five players in history have scored a hat-trick against Spurs at the Emirates. His three goals came in just 40 minutes of play, making it the fastest hat-trick in derby history. He also became the first player since 1993 to score all three of his goals in a single half against Tottenham.
What impact does this result have on Arsenal’s title chances?
The win lifted Arsenal into third place, just two points behind leaders Manchester City. With five of their next seven matches against mid-table sides, this result could be the momentum shift they’ve needed. Historically, teams that win the first North London derby by a margin of three or more goals win the league title 73% of the time since 1992. The psychological edge matters as much as the points.
Was Richarlison really playing with a mask?
Yes. According to The Standard, Richarlison trained with a specially fitted transparent face shield after suffering a minor facial fracture during a collision in training on November 20. He was cleared to play but visibly restricted in breathing and movement. His goal was his first in five league games, and his performance was hampered by discomfort. He was substituted in the 82nd minute, not due to tactical reasons, but because he was struggling to maintain pace.
How did the VAR team handle the controversial moments?
VAR, led by Stuart Attwell, reviewed three incidents: a potential handball in the box by Saliba, a challenge on Richarlison by Calafiori, and a possible offside on Eze’s second goal. None were overturned. The most debated moment was a late challenge on Xavi Simons by Zubimendi—no card was shown, but replays showed contact with the ankle. The officials deemed it ‘a fair tackle,’ though Spurs fans were furious. The lack of a red card or penalty was a major talking point on social media.
What’s the history of Arsenal’s dominance in recent derbies?
Arsenal have won 11 of the last 15 North London derbies, including six of the last seven at the Emirates. Since 2017, they’ve scored 29 goals to Spurs’ 12 in those matches. The 4-1 result in 2025 is their largest home victory over Spurs since 2008, when they won 5-1. This stretch has been defined by superior midfield control and clinical finishing—both traits on full display this time.