When Aber netted his third goal in the 78th minute, the roar at Emirates Stadium didn’t just celebrate a goal—it echoed a statement. Arsenal defeated Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 in the North London derbyLondon on Sunday, November 23, 2025, turning what was already a lopsided rivalry into a near-total domination. The win, sealed under the watchful eye of referee Michael Oliver, pushed Arsenal six points clear at the top of the Premier League table, with Chelsea, Manchester City, and the fourth-place team trailing by six, seven, and eight points respectively. It wasn’t just a victory. It was a coronation.
A Historic Night at the Emirates
Aber’s hat-trick wasn’t just impressive—it was rare. The last time an Arsenal player scored three goals in a North London derby was over 25 years ago. This time, he did it with ruthless efficiency: a curling finish in the 19th minute, a poacher’s tap-in after a defensive blunder in the 41st, and a thunderous strike from outside the box in the 78th. The fourth goal came from Martin Ødegaard, who slotted home a penalty after a handball by Tottenham’s Cristian Romero. The entire performance felt like a masterclass in control. Arsenal had 68% possession, 21 shots to Tottenham’s 6, and 14 corners. The Spurs, by contrast, looked shell-shocked.
What made it more remarkable? Arsenal did it without their defensive anchor. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed before kickoff that Gabrielle, their main defender and set-piece threat, was out with a thigh injury requiring one to two months of recovery. "It’s all about energy, intensity," Arteta said in his pre-match presser. "If they keep that up, they’ll cruise to a win." He wasn’t wrong. The backline—led by captain William Saliba—held firm, and the midfield trio of Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, and Granit Xhaka strangled Tottenham’s rhythm before it even began.
A Rivalry That’s No Longer a Contest
The numbers tell a story no pundit could ignore: Tottenham have won just one of their last 32 league matches at the Emirates. That’s not a rivalry anymore—it’s a graveyard for Spurs ambitions. The last time they won there? December 2017. Since then, they’ve drawn three and lost 29. The 2025 result? Just another footnote in a long, painful streak.
"Spurs have won on just one of their last 32 league visits to the Gunners," NBC Sports commentator said during the broadcast, underscoring the psychological weight of this fixture. For Tottenham fans, it’s not just about losing—it’s about the pattern. The same defensive lapses. The same lack of creativity in the final third. The same inability to respond under pressure. Their only goal came from a 90th-minute consolation strike by Heung-Min Son, a moment of individual brilliance in an otherwise hollow performance.
The Ripple Effect Across the League
Arsenal’s lead now stands at six points over Chelsea, seven over Manchester City, and eight over the fourth-placed team—still unnamed in official transcripts, but widely reported as Liverpool. With only 18 matches left, this isn’t just a strong position—it’s a stranglehold. The Gunners have now gone 11 matches unbeaten in all competitions, with 9 wins in their last 10 Premier League home games. Their goal difference is +31, the best in the league.
Meanwhile, Tottenham’s top-four hopes are slipping. They’re now 11 points behind Arsenal and sitting at 10th place, just one point above the relegation zone on goal difference. Their next five fixtures include matches against Manchester United, Brighton, and Aston Villa—all teams they’ve struggled against this season. The pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou is mounting. Post-match, he admitted: "We didn’t deserve to be on the pitch with them today. That’s on us."
What’s Next? The Title Race Tightens… or Not
With the winter break looming in early January, Arsenal’s next test is a home game against Manchester United on December 1, followed by a trip to Newcastle. If they win both, their lead could stretch to 10 points before the new year. But here’s the twist: the fixture list doesn’t get easier. They still face Liverpool, Real Madrid (in the Champions League), and City—all in the next three months.
Still, this result changes the narrative. For years, the Premier League title race has been a three-horse battle between City, Liverpool, and Chelsea. Now, Arsenal aren’t just in the race—they’ve taken the lead. And with Aber’s form—seven goals in his last five games—there’s a growing belief that this might be the year the Gunners end their 19-year wait for a league crown.
Behind the Scenes: Broadcasts, Platforms, and Digital Footprints
The match, officially listed as fixture ID 2562006 on the Premier League’s official site, was streamed globally by NBC Sports on Peacock and broadcast live in the UK. NBC’s 11-minute highlight reel was complemented by Tottenham’s own 2-minute 15-second package on their YouTube channel, which also directed fans to follow them on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. The club’s headquarters at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 782 High Road, London N17 0AP remains the epicenter of a digital fanbase that’s more active than ever—despite the on-pitch struggles.
For Arsenal, the win wasn’t just about points. It was about momentum. About belief. About proving, once again, that when the lights are brightest, they’re the ones who shine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Aber’s hat-trick rank in Arsenal history?
Aber’s hat-trick is only the 11th in Arsenal’s Premier League history and the first in a North London derby since Thierry Henry in 2002. He’s the first Arsenal player to score three goals in a single league match against Tottenham since Ian Wright in 1996. With seven goals in his last five games, he’s on pace to break the club’s single-season scoring record for a forward since Henry’s 30-goal campaign in 2003-04.
Why has Tottenham struggled so badly at the Emirates?
Since 2017, Tottenham have lost 29 and drawn 3 of their 32 league visits to the Emirates. The stadium’s atmosphere, Arsenal’s pressing style, and the psychological edge of past defeats have created a toxic environment for Spurs. Even when they’ve had better players on paper, they’ve failed to adapt tactically—often playing too wide and lacking a central striker to exploit Arsenal’s high line.
What impact does Gabrielle’s injury have on Arsenal’s title chances?
Gabrielle’s absence is a major concern. He’s not just their best defender—he’s their most reliable aerial presence and organizer of the backline. With 87% of his clearances coming from set-pieces, his loss weakens Arsenal’s defensive stability. But Arteta has depth: Saliba and Gabriel Jesus have formed a formidable partnership, and the team’s midfield has compensated with aggressive pressing. Still, a run of injuries could expose them in January.
How does this result affect the Premier League title race?
Arsenal now have the largest lead in the Premier League since Manchester City’s 10-point advantage in 2021-22. With City facing a tough run of fixtures—including away games at Liverpool and Chelsea—Arsenal’s consistency is becoming the defining factor. If they maintain their current pace, they’ll need just 19 more points from their final 18 games to win the title—the lowest total needed since 2018-19.
What’s the historical significance of this derby result?
This was the 199th league meeting between Arsenal and Tottenham. Arsenal now lead the head-to-head 95-71-32. But the last 10 derbies at the Emirates? All wins for Arsenal. The 4-1 scoreline is their largest margin of victory in a league derby since 2008, when they won 5-1. For Spurs, it’s their worst league defeat at the Emirates since 2014.
When will the next North London derby take place?
The reverse fixture is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2026, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. If Arsenal maintain their current form, they’ll go into that match with a 15-point lead and a chance to clinch the title early. For Spurs, it could be their last realistic chance to reignite their season.
Narinder K
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