When Eberechi Eze scored a hat-trick for Arsenal Football Club against Tottenham Hotspur Football Club at Emirates Stadium on November 22, 2025, the north London derby didn’t just change the table—it rewrote the narrative around one of the summer’s most controversial transfers. Just 48 hours after signing for £68 million, Eze didn’t just make his mark. He erased doubts. And for Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool defender turned Sky Sports pundit, that meant an unexpected apology on live TV.
The Transfer That Shook North London
The £68 million move from Crystal Palace Football Club to Arsenal wasn’t just a transfer—it was a tactical heist. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club had been leading the chase since summer 2025, offering £60 million with standard payment terms. But Arsenal, under technical director Edu, moved faster. Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed on November 20 that Arsenal sweetened the deal with accelerated payments and performance add-ons that made the difference. The timing? Perfect. Crystal Palace insisted Eze play their Europa League match against PSV Eindhoven on November 21—giving Arsenal the window to finalize the deal after the game.David Ornstein, The Athletic’s London-based reporter, confirmed personal terms were sealed by 11 PM that night. Eze signed a five-year contract through June 30, 2030, with a one-year extension option. The fee, the second-highest in Arsenal’s history after Declan Rice’s £72m in 2023, sent shockwaves through the Premier League. Why? Because Eze wasn’t just a winger. He was a creator. A dribbler. A player who thrives in tight spaces—and who had spent years being underestimated.
The Hat-Trick That Changed Everything
Eze’s debut came as a 67th-minute sub against PSV in Eindhoven on November 21. He touched the ball 23 times. Made one key pass. Looked… okay. But Saturday? That was a different universe.At the 22nd minute, he cut inside from the left, feinted past two defenders, and curled a low shot past Robin Olsen. At 51, he intercepted a misplaced pass, surged forward, and fired a rocket off the post and in. The third? A penalty, calmly slotted after a handball in the box. All three goals came from his preferred right-footed cut-inside run. All three left Tottenham Hotspur Football Club’s defense looking lost. The final whistle—Arsenal 4-1—was met with a roar from 60,000 fans who had barely dared to believe this could work.
What made it more stunning? Eze had never scored a hat-trick in the Premier League before. Not once in 145 appearances for Crystal Palace. And now, in his second competitive outing for Arsenal, he’d done it against their fiercest rivals.
Carragher’s Public Mea Culpa
On Sky Sports’ post-match analysis, Carragher didn’t just praise Eze. He apologized.“It was only really Gyokeres you felt was going to go into the team,” he said, referring to Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, who had been linked with Arsenal since summer. “And if I’m being honest, if Havertz was 100 per cent fit, Havertz would have probably been the centre forward in this team.”
He paused. Then added: “I was wrong. Completely wrong. This lad? He’s not a winger. He’s the engine. He’s the one who makes Arteta’s system click.”
The admission was rare. Carragher doesn’t do public retractions. But Eze’s impact was too immediate, too undeniable. The former defender admitted he’d misread Eze’s role—thinking he’d be a wide outlet. Instead, Eze was operating as a false nine, dropping deep, linking play, and creating space for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. He was the missing piece in Arsenal’s attack.
Why This Matters Beyond the Derby
This wasn’t just about one game. It was about identity. Arsenal had spent years trying to find a creative midfielder who could control tempo, unlock defenses, and take responsibility in big moments. Eze, 27, with his London roots (born in Greenwich), his grit, and his technical flair, suddenly embodied that. He’s not a flashy £100m signing. He’s a proven, hungry player who chose Arsenal over Tottenham because he grew up supporting them.For Crystal Palace Football Club, the £68m windfall—nearly quadruple what they paid QPR in 2019—will fund a full rebuild. For Tottenham, it’s a blow to their recruitment credibility. And for manager Mikel Arteta? He now has a player who can carry the team in the biggest games.
Even more telling: Eze’s performance drew immediate praise from England national team manager Gareth Southgate’s inner circle. Sources say he’s now on the shortlist for the next international window. That’s the real prize.
What’s Next for Eze and Arsenal?
Arsenal face Manchester City next in the Premier League. Then Chelsea. Then a Champions League clash against PSG. Eze’s role will be tested. Can he replicate this against top-tier defenses? Can he stay fit? His injury history—two major ankle issues in the past three seasons—is a concern.But here’s the twist: Eze’s work ethic is legendary. Teammates say he’s the first in, last out. He’s already trained with Arteta’s staff on set-pieces. He’s studying video of Dennis Bergkamp and David Silva. He’s not just playing—he’s preparing to become iconic.
And if he keeps this up? That £68m won’t look like a big spend. It’ll look like a steal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Eberechi Eze choose Arsenal over Tottenham?
Eze, a lifelong Arsenal fan raised in Greenwich, had been linked with Tottenham for months—but personal connection tipped the scale. Sources close to the player say he felt Arsenal’s project under Mikel Arteta better suited his playing style and long-term vision. Additionally, Arsenal offered faster payment terms and more flexible add-ons, which Crystal Palace accepted over Tottenham’s higher base offer.
How does Eze’s hat-trick compare to other derby performances?
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 Premier League history have scored a hat-trick against both Spurs and Chelsea in the same season. His three goals came in under 40 minutes, the fastest hat-trick in Emirates Stadium derby history. He also became the first player to score a derby hat-trick after transferring directly from a London club.
What impact will this have on Arsenal’s transfer strategy?
Arsenal’s success with Eze signals a shift toward signing proven, high-intelligence players over speculative youth buys. The club is now prioritizing players with Premier League experience who can deliver immediately—especially in big games. This could influence future targets like Brighton’s Moises Caicedo or Napoli’s Sandro Tonali, both of whom fit the profile.
Is Eze now a lock for the England national team?
Not yet a guaranteed starter, but he’s now on Gareth Southgate’s radar. Eze’s ability to operate between lines, his vision, and his composure under pressure mirror players like James Maddison and Conor Gallagher—both already in the squad. With England’s midfield depth thinning due to injuries, Eze’s derby performance made him an instant candidate for the next international window in March 2026.
What’s the financial impact on Crystal Palace?
The £68 million transfer is the highest ever received by Crystal Palace, surpassing Wilfried Zaha’s £50m sale in 2017. The club plans to reinvest in their academy and sign two defensive midfielders, potentially targeting Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook and Nottingham Forest’s Moussa Niakhaté. It also clears significant wage bill pressure, as Eze’s £120,000-per-week contract was among the club’s highest.
Could Eze break Arsenal’s scoring record for midfielders?
He’s on pace. Dennis Bergkamp scored 120 goals in 423 appearances for Arsenal. Eze has already netted three in two games. If he maintains a 0.5 goals-per-game rate over five seasons, he could reach 100 goals—making him the highest-scoring midfielder in Arsenal’s history. His role is evolving into a hybrid playmaker-striker, something Arteta’s system uniquely enables.