Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has issued a stark warning to club captain Martin Odegaard, stating the Norwegian can no longer assume a starting role after summer signing Eberechi Eze delivered a breathtaking hat-trick in a 4-1 demolition of Tottenham in the north London derby.
A Dominant Derby Display
The Gunners produced a commanding performance at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, November 23, 2025, to maintain their six-point lead at the Premier League summit. They capitalised perfectly on Manchester City's defeat at Newcastle the previous day with a display that overwhelmed their fiercest rivals.
Leandro Trossard broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, but the match belonged to Eze. The former Crystal Palace man doubled Arsenal's lead shortly before half-time, beating two defenders on the edge of the box before unleashing a powerful low drive beyond Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Arsenal seemed to have sealed the victory moments after the restart when Eze found the net again, this time with a precise left-footed finish. A momentary lapse from Martin Zubimendi allowed Richarlison to score an opportunistic long-range effort for Spurs, briefly offering hope. However, Eze extinguished any chance of a comeback, completing his hat-trick with another well-taken goal with just 15 minutes remaining.
Eze Seizes His Chance in Odegaard's Absence
The summer signing, who had been used predominantly on the wing in his early Arsenal appearances, was given the central creative role in the absence of the injured Odegaard. Against the club he nearly joined before Mikel Arteta's intervention, Eze delivered what can only be described as a coming-of-age performance.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Thierry Henry was emphatic about the implications for the returning Odegaard. 'By the way if I was Martin Odegaard,' Henry began, 'I said it, this guy is a 10 for me, he's not a winger he's a 10. He needs to be in the middle of the park, he showed it tonight. So that's what you want, healthy competition, that's what you want.'
Eze himself was elated after his man-of-the-match display. 'That's a good one man. Enjoyable day,' he said. 'Happy to help the team and to win today was special. I prayed for a hat-trick so I am grateful to God. That was the prayer today. God gave it to me and that is faith, man.' When asked to pick his favourite goal, he selected his second, a left-footed strike that cemented Arsenal's dominance.
Arteta's Welcome Selection Headache
The result leaves manager Mikel Arteta with a significant, albeit positive, selection dilemma. With Odegaard nearing full fitness, Henry insists there is no justification for moving Eze from the number ten position after he wreaked havoc against Spurs.
The performance also featured strong showings from other squad players. Defender Piero Hincapie, making his first league start, impressed in place of Gabriel, living up to Arteta's 'warrior' description. For Tottenham, it was a day to forget, with Kevin Danso and Wilson Odobert particularly struggling in a defensive setup that failed to contain Arsenal's vibrant attack.
This resounding victory not only solidifies Arsenal's position at the top of the table but also signals the emergence of a new talisman, placing the future of their club captain under intense scrutiny.
