Eberechi Eze's five-word Tottenham response after historic Arsenal hat-trick

Eberechi Eze refused to discuss his summer transfer decision when asked about Tottenham after scoring a hat-trick for Arsenal against Spurs, the first in 50 years

Arsenal hero Ebere Eze has firmly dismissed any discussion surrounding his decision to reject Tottenham Hotspur. The 27-year-old struck a match-winning hat-trick to become the first player to do so against Spurs in 50 years.

His brace after the interval compounded the misery for the Gunners' fierce rivals, coming just months after Tottenham's unsuccessful attempt to secure his services from Crystal Palace. Leandro Trossard broke the deadlock just before the break after a dominant first-half

Eze registered his opening goal and Arsenal's second during a devastating five-minute spell as Mikel Arteta's men made their first-half dominance count.

The 27-year-old then netted twice more after the restart to seal his treble and heap further pain on the Gunners' North London adversaries, after Tottenham's failed bid before joining his boyhood club in a deal worth £60million.

Yet, having fulfilled a childhood ambition on Sunday, the Arsenal star showed little interest in revisiting the summer transfer speculation that saw him turn down Spurs in favour of the Premier League pacesetters. Eze said: "Let's not speak about that."

He added: "That's a good one [feeling], enjoyable day, I'm happy to help the team. It's special, you know?

"Special man, I'm grateful again. I prayed for it, I prayed for a hat-trick, I'm grateful man. That was a prayer today and god delivered."

Eze had previously admitted he was willing to join Spurs, but once his boyhood club Arsenal expressed interest, the decision became straightforward.

Speaking to The Athletic, he said: "I was prepared to go to Tottenham, but from the moment Arsenal came, it was always going to be them.

"My first (senior) Arsenal game was special. It almost didn't feel real because it's something I've been dreaming of for a long time.

"Playing for Arsenal from eight to 13, it's been in the back of my mind wanting to go back. It felt like the realisation of a dream."

The victory proved significant for Arsenal beyond simply claiming local bragging rights, as they took full advantage of their Premier League competitors dropping points elsewhere.

Liverpool's title defence suffered another setback as they slipped further behind, while Newcastle United dampened Manchester City's momentum with a 2-1 triumph at St James' Park.

Eze's hat-trick, combined with Trossard's opening goal, establishes a six-point advantage for Arsenal at the Premier League summit heading into a hectic festive schedule.

Their next fixture takes them to Stamford Bridge to face second-placed Chelsea, shortly after their Champions League encounter with Bayern Munich.