Mikel Arteta was full of praise for his Arsenal side after they delivered a stunning 4-1 victory over arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby on Sunday. The emphatic win at the Emirates Stadium was built on what the manager described as an incredibly impressive and dominant performance from the first whistle.
Historic Heroics from Eberechi Eze
The match will be remembered for a breathtaking individual display from Eberechi Eze, who scored a historic hat-trick. This remarkable feat had not been achieved in this famous fixture for 47 years. Arteta was effusive in his praise for the player, highlighting not just his immense talent but also his professional desire.
"He came in during his days off to do extra practice voluntarily," Arteta revealed, pointing to the dedication behind the spectacular match-winning performance.
'Forbidden' Exit and a Six-Point Cushion
Another key contributor was Leandro Trossard, who put in one of his best shifts of the season. When asked about summer transfer speculation surrounding the forward, Arteta gave a telling response. He stated that he had considered it "forbidden for him to leave," emphatically backing the player's quality and his importance to the team's campaign.
The comprehensive victory, combined with defeats for title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City on the same weekend, sent Arsenal six points clear at the Premier League summit. However, the manager was quick to downplay the significance of the gap so early in the season.
"A six-point margin is not much in the Premier League," Arteta cautioned, emphasising the small margins and the long road ahead in the title race.
Praise for an Unconventional Leader
Arteta also took time to single out Mikel Merino for special acclaim. The player was deployed in an unnatural centre-forward role but excelled, earning his manager's trust through his intelligence and a formidable work ethic.
"These performances justify the coaching staff's continued trust in him," Arteta said, praising the player's adaptability and commitment to the team's cause on a day of near-perfect execution for the Gunners.
