‘Ebere Eze can win Arsenal EPL title: Carragher, Wright and Hoddle hail Gunners’ star after derby hat-trick

Eberechi Eze’s stunning hat-trick in Arsenal’s 4-1 demolition of Tottenham has drawn widespread praise from pundits, with some suggesting the summer signing could be the difference in the Premier League title race.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher admitted he had underestimated Eze’s impact when he joined from Crystal Palace.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said: “When Eze came I thought maybe he wasn’t a game-changer. Apologies. I certainly undervalued the importance of that signing and he looks like he can make the difference for them and they can go on and win the title.”

Clinton Morrison, on BBC Radio 5 Live at the Emirates, described Eze’s performance as the fulfilment of a dream. “Eze will turn out to be one of the best signings of the season. This is every kid’s dream and he has lived his dream,” he said.

Glenn Hoddle, the former Spurs manager and England boss, admitted his disappointment that Eze had not joined Tottenham.

“I love Eze. I think he is a wonderful player and was gutted when he didn’t come to Spurs. He is going to get better and better,” Hoddle said.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright reflected on the magnitude of Eze’s achievement in his first north London derby.

“When I signed for Arsenal me and David Rocastle spoke for hours about what it would be like to play against Spurs.

‘I didn’t dream of scoring a hat-trick because I thought that would be too much, just to get one goal in my first game would be great.

‘But for Eze, and everything he’s been through, to score a hat-trick on his north London derby is fantastic. He won’t realise until the end of the season what he has achieved.”

Eze’s treble not only secured Arsenal’s derby bragging rights but also intensified belief that he could be the catalyst for a title-winning campaign.