'That's not negotiable': Spurs star apologises for humiliating derby loss as Arsenal go six points clear

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario apologised to the club's fans on Monday (AEDT), saying his team lacked fight in a dispiriting 4-1 defeat at Arsenal in the Premier League.

The visitors last won a Premier League game at Arsenal 15 years ago and that dire record never looked like changing as Eberechi Eze helped himself to a hat-trick for the leaders.

"A very bad night for us. First of all we have to apologise to the people that support us every day," the Italian said.

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"They expected us to fight and today we didn't fight. That's not negotiable to do in football in this level. It's a tough night, a very bad defeat."

Set up defensively, Tottenham were virtually non-existent as an attacking force with the sole highlight being an audacious goal out of the blue by Richarlison to make it 3-1.

In truth, the final score could have been a lot more lopsided, with Vicario forced into several fine saves.

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Tottenham's expected goals total was 0.07 and by the end most of their fans had long disappeared.

They must now pick themselves up for an away Champions League clash with holders Paris St Germain on Thursday (AEDT).

"We have to stick together. Tonight we didn't show the things we are normally capable of," Vicario said.

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"The emotions are high, but we need cool heads and apologise to the people that support us and have travelled today.

"I think we waited too much to get into the game. We were too passive. The game plan we prepared was different. Today we didn't fight. We have to apologise first of all for this."

For 36 minutes the derby was a cagey contest with Tottenham frustrating Mikel Arteta's side, but the hosts struck three times in 10 minutes either side of half-time.

Leandro Trossard broke the deadlock from close range before Eze, the player Arsenal snatched in a summer transfer tussle with Tottenham, rifled in Arsenal's second after 41 minutes.

The second half was only seconds old when Eze again found space on the edge of the area to dispatch another shot inside the post and put his side in complete control.

Tottenham got a lifeline out of the blue in stunning fashion in the 55th minute when Richarlison lobbed Arsenal keeper David Raya from near the centre circle.

The visitors were more of a threat in the second half but Arsenal never really looked troubled and Eze completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with another clinical finish.

Arsenal, unbeaten in nine league games, have 29 points from 12 games, with second-placed Chelsea on 23.

Tottenham's first away league defeat of the season left them ninth on 18 points.

Eze was at the centre of a summer transfer battle between the two north London clubs, with Arsenal scooping the former Crystal Palace forward from under the noses of their rivals.

If that was not bad enough, the England international rubbed Tottenham's noses in it as he lit up his first north London derby in scintillating fashion.

"That is crazy. Special day man. Special day for me, my family," said Eze, who had managed only one league goal for Arsenal prior to the match.

"I probably should've scored four to be honest ... I'm always trying to score, always trying to take my chances. It's important to be relentless."

Tottenham had been impressive away from home under new manager Thomas Frank with no defeats and only three goals conceded in the Premier League before the match.

Frank set his side up conservatively for his first taste of the derby with containment rather than entertainment clearlyon his mind, but his plan unravelled in alarming fashion.

"It's extremely painful to stand here after an extremely bad performance," the Dane said.

Three central defenders, two holding midfielders and deep fullbacks restricted Arsenal to just one real chance in the opening half an hour with Eze's scooped pass met on the volley by Declan Rice and Vicario saving well.

Vicario was not called into serious action again until the 33rd minute when he sprang to his right to keep out a Bukayo Saka free kick.

But the breakthrough came soon after as, for once, Arsenal found space in the Tottenham area with Mikel Merino's chipped pass controlled by Trossard with his back to goal.

The Belgian took a touch and his shot on the turn nicked off Micky van de Ven to give Vicario no chance.

Tottenham's negative game plan was in tatters when Eze turned on the edge of the area and fired a low shot through a crowd and beyond Vicario.

The visitors sent on attacking midfielder Xavi Simons at half-time but within seconds of the restart it was effectively all over as a contest as once again Eze was allowed too much time and he thrashed a shot past Vicario.

Tottenham had not landed a glove on Arsenal for 55 minutes but scored with their first shot on target as Joao Palhinha won the ball just inside Arsenal's half and Richarlison, spotting Raya off his line, floated a 45-metre shot into the net.

It maintained Tottenham's record of scoring in every away derby at Arsenal since 2017 and for a while they were re-energised.

But any hope of a comeback ended when Eze yet again found space and his finish was sublime.

- with Wide World of Sports