Arsenal: Mikel Merino hails 'really complete' Eberechi Eze after historic hat-trick in north London derby

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·24 November 2025

Arsenal: Mikel Merino hails 'really complete' Eberechi Eze after historic hat-trick in north London derby

The Arsenal midfielder has heaped praise on the £67.5million summer signing after a stunning performance in the north London derby

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has hailed Eberechi Eze as a “complete” player after his historic hat-trick against Tottenham.

Eze became only the fourth player in history to score a hat-trick in the north London derby as Arsenal beat Tottenham 4-1 on Sunday.

Leandro Trossard opened the scoring, but it was Eze’s day as the attacking midfielder ran riot against Spurs.

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And Merino said: “I think he is very complete. He can dribble, he can pass the ball.

“He has one very good thing, he is really good like we say in Spain…associating with each other.

“In Spain we are born and we are raised with this talent of playing with each other, passing the ball and connecting.

“He is also mentality-driven to passing the ball and sharing the game, but at the same time he can dribble and is very strong. He can shoot and is really complete. An amazing signing.

“I think now, everyone judges players in terms of goals and assists - numbers. It is what it is.

“But as football players we know that he is providing the team with a lot of quality and a lot of good movements, technically. In training sessions, you know how good he is.

He is also mentality-driven to passing the ball and sharing the game, but at the same time he can dribble and is very strong. He can shoot and is really complete

Mikel Merino on Eberechi Eze

“So yes, goals came today but he is an unbelievable player and we are really, really lucky to have him.

“He can play in different positions and adapt to different styles. It was a massive signing for Arsenal.

“He is very confident and also every morning, we sit in a sauna at the training ground and we can have a really good talk with him about everything. He is just a nice guy and already very integrated within the team and we need those type of players.”

Victory over Tottenham put Arsenal six points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The Gunners travel to Chelsea on Sunday, who are second, but before that they will host Champions League leaders Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

“The atmosphere went through the roof,” said Merino, when asked about the mood in the dressing room after the win over Spurs. “Everyone is really happy, excited.

“We know a north London derby is massive and winning it this way with the fans enjoying the game and being so dominant throughout the game is unbelievable so I am really happy. It is great. It gives us a lot of confidence.

Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino celebrate Arsenal’s win over Tottenham

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

"I have been talking about it for a long time now. Competition is high. A lot of quality in the squad.

“This is what the gaffer wanted to have many players available with the best quality possible.

“It is tough for him to make decisions over who is playing and who is not playing but at the same time, at every training session, we are pushing each other and everyone is getting the benefit.

“We have signed so many players who can be a difference. But you can see many other teams that have made big, big transfers as well.

“Even though individuals can win games, the main thing is the team and if you have very good individuals, but not sticking together, that is a problem. The good thing in this team is that everyone thinks about the team first, which is the main objective.”