For this season not less than, the North London derby belongs to Eberechi Eze and nobody else. The 27-year-old has scored 5 targets throughout the 2 conferences between Arsenal F.C. and Tottenham Hotspur F.C. this marketing campaign, underlining his decisive affect in English soccer’s fiercest rivalry.
Again in December 2025, Eze delivered a efficiency for the ages on the Emirates Stadium, inspiring Arsenal to a commanding 4–1 victory. It was a show full of authority, composure and creativity a efficiency that immediately etched his identify into derby folklore. Softfootball had predicted a good 2–1 contest, however few anticipated such a dominant consequence.
Quick ahead to February 22, 2026, and Eze as soon as once more proved decisive, scoring a brace away from residence to seal one other assertion efficiency.
There was a way of inevitability when he was named within the beginning XI solely his second league begin of the calendar yr. Remarkably, his opener marked his first shot on track since November’s earlier derby assembly, bringing the narrative full circle.
In keeping with feedback shared by Fabrizio Romano by way of his official X deal with, Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta acknowledged Eze’s dedication:
You may see that Eze wished to show one thing. He was upset even with me, as a result of I didn’t play him the opposite day from the start… …and a number of the choices that I made. I’ve began to grasp how we’re going to get the very best out of him now
Earlier in February, Arteta had publicly defended Eze following a subdued show in a 1–1 draw in opposition to Brentford F.C., noting the bodily problem of adapting to a brand new group and system.
The supervisor burdened that integration takes time, particularly in demanding Premier League fixtures.
With restricted recreation time through the winter months, this derby offered a pivotal alternative. After displaying explosive athleticism for his first objective, Eze rediscovered the aptitude that defines him the feints, nutmegs and fast combos that had been lacking in current weeks.
Throughout each derbies, Eze has not solely delivered targets however shifted momentum, silenced doubters and reasserted his place as a decisive determine in Arsenal’s marketing campaign.
