Premier League Gameweek 12 Recap: Arsenal Dominate Derby While Title Race Heats Up

The Premier League served up a feast of drama, shocks, and spectacular performances during Gameweek 12, with the weekend's action delivering everything fans could hope for—from historic hat-tricks to shocking upsets that have completely reshaped the title race. As the 2025-26 season reaches its crucial midpoint, the battle for supremacy at the top of the table has never been more intense. Arsenal's Statement Victory: Eze Makes History The Emirates Stadium witnessed history on Sunday afternoon as Arsenal demolished Tottenham 4-1 in the North London Derby, with Eberechi Eze delivering a performance that will be remembered for generations. The England international became just the fourth player ever to score a hat-trick in this historic fixture, joining an exclusive club that includes Ted Drake, Terry Dyson, and Alan Sunderland. Eze's treble made him the first player to score a Premier League hat-trick in the North London derby, a remarkable achievement that underscores just how dominant Arsenal were on the day. The boyhood Arsenal fan, who nearly joined Spurs in the summer before making a dramatic late switch to his childhood club, couldn't have scripted a better way to endear himself to the Gunners faithful. Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a deflected effort after a sublime through ball from Mikel Merino. The Belgian's goal broke the deadlock in what had been a tense, cagey opening half-hour. Just five minutes later, Eze doubled Arsenal's advantage, dancing through weak Tottenham challenges before drilling a low finish past Guglielmo Vicario. The second half began in sensational fashion, with Eze netting his second goal just 36 seconds after the restart. The midfielder found himself in acres of space on the edge of the box—a recurring theme throughout the match—before firing past Vicario to effectively end the contest as a competitive affair. Richarlison briefly gave Tottenham hope with a stunning 35-yard chip over David Raya in the 55th minute, a moment of Brazilian brilliance that came completely against the run of play. However, Eze completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute, once again exploiting space in central areas to bend a beautiful shot past the helpless Vicario. The victory extends Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League table to six points over second-place Chelsea, sending a clear message to their title rivals. Manager Mikel Arteta's tactical setup completely nullified Thomas Frank's three-at-the-back formation, with Arsenal monopolizing possession and territory throughout the contest. For Tottenham, the defeat continues their wretched record at the Emirates—they haven't won a league game at Arsenal's home since 2010. The Lilywhites managed zero shots in the first half, the second time this season they've failed to register a single attempt in a 45-minute period, highlighting the extent of their struggles. Liverpool's Title Challenge Stumbles at Anfield In perhaps the weekend's biggest shock, Liverpool's seemingly unstoppable march toward the title hit a major speed bump with a stunning 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The result at Anfield represents one of the most surprising outcomes of the season and has blown the title race wide open. Forest's commanding performance saw goals from Murillo, Savona, and Gibbs-White secure a flawless outing and a deserved 3-0 victory that left the Kop in stunned silence. The visitors were organized, clinical, and thoroughly deserved their historic victory—their first win at Anfield in decades. The defeat raises serious questions about Liverpool's defensive vulnerabilities and their ability to handle pressure as the season enters its crucial phase. Manager's tactical decisions came under scrutiny, with Forest exploiting spaces in Liverpool's usually solid defensive structure throughout the match. For Nottingham Forest, the victory represents a massive statement of intent. After their surprise promotion campaign and strong start to the season, this result proves they belong among the Premier League's elite and can compete with anyone on their day. Manchester City's Crisis Deepens Manchester City's alarming slump continued at St. James' Park, where they fell 2-1 to Newcastle United in what represents their fourth consecutive defeat across all competitions. Harvey Barnes scored twice for Newcastle as the Magpies capitalized on City's defensive fragility to claim a vital three points. The defeat raises serious concerns about Pep Guardiola's side, who have now lost ground in the title race and find themselves trailing Arsenal by a significant margin. Injuries to key players and a noticeable loss of the intensity that has defined their recent dominance have left City looking vulnerable in ways rarely seen during Guardiola's tenure. Erling Haaland's continued goal drought adds to City's woes. The Norwegian striker, who terrorized defenses earlier in the campaign, has now gone several games without finding the net, and the team's attacking fluidity has suffered as a result. Without Kevin De Bruyne's creativity in midfield, City have struggled to create the quality chances that once came so naturally. Saturday's Action: Mixed Results Across the Board Saturday's fixtures provided plenty of drama beyond Liverpool and Manchester City's surprising defeats. Chelsea continued their impressive form under new management with a 2-0 victory at Burnley, with Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernández finding the net. The Blues' consistency has them sitting second in the table, six points behind Arsenal but very much in the title conversation. Brighton & Hove Albion edged Brentford 2-1 in an entertaining encounter, with João Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma securing the points for the Seagulls. Brighton's attractive style of play continues to win admirers, though their inconsistency prevents them from mounting a serious top-four challenge. AFC Bournemouth played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with West Ham United, with David Brooks' 93rd-minute equalizer rescuing a point for the Cherries. The result maintains Bournemouth's impressive home record while leaving West Ham frustrated after seemingly having secured victory. Fulham's 1-0 win over Sunderland keeps Marco Silva's side in mid-table safety, with Alex Iwobi's 20th-minute strike proving sufficient against the newly promoted Black Cats. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace secured a 2-0 away victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Rob Edwards suffering defeat in his first match in charge of Wolves. Sunday's Other Thriller: Villa's Comeback Beyond the North London Derby, Sunday produced another compelling narrative as Aston Villa staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Leeds United 2-1 at Elland Road. Leeds took the lead through Lukas Nmecha's deflected effort, but Morgan Rogers turned the game on its head with two second-half goals to complete a memorable turnaround for the visitors. Rogers equalized just three minutes into the second half after Villa made tactical substitutions at halftime, introducing fresh legs that immediately paid dividends. His second goal arrived in the 75th minute, converting a free-kick opportunity to secure all three points and maintain Villa's excellent away form. The victory keeps Aston Villa firmly in the hunt for European qualification, showcasing the resilience and quality that manager Unai Emery has instilled in his squad. For Leeds, the defeat represents another frustrating result in what has been a challenging return to the Premier League. Monday Night Drama Still to Come As this recap goes to publication, Monday night's fixture between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford looms large. United, desperate to climb the table after an inconsistent start to the season, face an Everton side fighting to escape the relegation zone. Bruno Fernandes, the Premier League's leading chance creator this season, will be key to United's hopes of securing three points. The Portuguese midfielder has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing campaign for the Red Devils, and manager Erik ten Hag needs his captain to deliver once again. For Everton, the match represents an opportunity to claim a statement victory and provide some breathing room from the bottom three. The Toffees have won just one of their last five away games, making Old Trafford a daunting proposition, but stranger things have happened in Premier League football. Title Race Analysis: Arsenal in Command With Gameweek 12 now largely complete, Arsenal sit atop the Premier League table with a commanding six-point advantage over Chelsea in second place. Liverpool's shock defeat has seen them drop points in the title race, while Manchester City's continued struggles have effectively ended their hopes of mounting a serious challenge unless they can quickly reverse their form. Mikel Arteta's Arsenal look increasingly like champions-in-waiting. Their combination of defensive solidity, attacking creativity, and big-game temperament—exemplified by Sunday's derby demolition—suggests they have the quality and mentality to finally end their 21-year wait for a Premier League title. Chelsea's resurgence under their new manager has been impressive, with the Blues looking increasingly comfortable in their tactical system. If Arsenal falter, Enzo Maresca's side have the talent and momentum to capitalize, making the run-in potentially fascinating. Liverpool remain in contention despite their Anfield stumble, but questions about their consistency will need answering if they're to mount a serious challenge. The Reds possess match-winners throughout their squad, but defensive vulnerabilities exposed by Forest could prove costly against other quality opponents. Manchester City's title defense appears over unless they can orchestrate a miraculous turnaround. Four consecutive defeats represent an unprecedented crisis for Guardiola's regime, and the mounting injury problems suggest their struggles may continue before improving. Relegation Battle Intensifies At the opposite end of the table, the fight for survival is becoming increasingly desperate. Southampton, despite their relegation from last season, have started their return to the Premier League poorly and find themselves in immediate danger once again. Leicester City and Ipswich Town, the other clubs relegated last term, are also struggling to adapt back to top-flight football. Wolves' managerial change hasn't yet produced the desired results, with their home defeat to Crystal Palace leaving them uncomfortably close to the drop zone. Rob Edwards, recently appointed, will need time to implement his ideas, but time is a luxury rarely afforded to struggling Premier League managers. The newly promoted trio—Sunderland, Burnley, and Leeds United—have all shown flashes of quality but lack the consistency required for Premier League survival. All three clubs anticipated difficult campaigns, but the harsh reality of top-flight football is testing them severely. Individual Brilliance: Players of the Week Eberechi Eze's hat-trick performance deservedly earned him widespread acclaim and the headlines, but several other players produced exceptional displays during Gameweek 12. Morgan Rogers' match-winning brace for Aston Villa showcased his growing importance to Unai Emery's system, while Harvey Barnes' double for Newcastle highlighted why the Magpies invested heavily in the winger. David Raya continued his excellent form between the posts for Arsenal, making crucial saves even in a comfortable victory. The Spanish goalkeeper has been one of the signings of the season, providing the Gunners with a reliable last line of defense that could prove crucial in a tight title race. On the opposite end of the spectrum, several high-profile players endured difficult afternoons. Tottenham's entire backline struggled against Arsenal's movement and creativity, while Liverpool's defenders were exposed repeatedly by Nottingham Forest's well-organized attack. These performances will concern their respective managers as the season's pressure intensifies. Tactical Trends and Observations Gameweek 12 provided fascinating tactical insights. Arsenal's systematic dismantling of Tottenham's three-at-the-back system demonstrated Mikel Arteta's growing tactical acumen and his team's ability to execute complex game plans. The Gunners' use of the half-spaces, with Eze repeatedly finding pockets of space between Spurs' lines, should serve as a blueprint for other teams facing similar defensive setups. Nottingham Forest's victory at Anfield showcased the value of organized defending and clinical counter-attacking. Their low block frustrated Liverpool's usually fluid attacking patterns, while their quick transitions caught the hosts out of position repeatedly. It's a reminder that in the Premier League, tactical discipline can overcome superior individual talent. Manchester City's struggles highlight their over-reliance on specific players and systems. Without De Bruyne orchestrating play and with Haaland misfiring, Guardiola's usual attacking dominance has evaporated. The Catalan manager faces perhaps his biggest challenge since arriving in England: reinventing his team mid-season while injuries mount. Looking Ahead: Crucial Fixtures on the Horizon The international break now provides teams with an opportunity to regroup, recover injured players, and prepare for the season's crucial run-in. When club football returns, Arsenal face a daunting schedule that could define their season: away to Chelsea, home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and then a series of must-win fixtures against direct rivals. Manchester City desperately need the break to reset mentally and physically. Guardiola must find solutions to their defensive fragility and rediscover the attacking fluency that has deserted them in recent weeks. Their upcoming fixtures against clubs in the bottom half provide opportunities to rebuild confidence. Liverpool will use the hiatus to address the defensive issues exposed by Forest, while Tottenham must soul-search after another humiliating derby defeat. For the promoted clubs and relegation candidates, every point becomes increasingly precious as the season progresses. The Big Picture: A Season Wide Open With approximately two-thirds of the campaign remaining, the 2025-26 Premier League season is shaping up as one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. Arsenal's commanding position makes them favorites, but Liverpool and Chelsea lurk close enough to pounce on any slip-ups. Manchester City's unexpected struggles have opened the door for new contenders, creating genuine uncertainty about who will ultimately lift the trophy in May. At the bottom, the relegation battle promises to go down to the wire, with perhaps ten clubs genuinely fearing they could finish in the bottom three. The quality and competitiveness throughout the division ensures that every matchweek produces surprises, drama, and moments of individual brilliance. Conclusion: Drama and Quality in Equal Measure Gameweek 12 exemplified everything that makes the Premier League the world's most watched football league. From Eberechi Eze's historic hat-trick to Liverpool's shocking home defeat, from Manchester City's continued crisis to Aston Villa's stirring comeback, the weekend provided entertainment, controversy, and talking points aplenty. As players now disperse for international duty, they leave behind a Premier League table that looks fascinatingly poised. Arsenal's dominance is impressive but not yet unassailable. Liverpool and Chelsea remain dangerous challengers with the quality to catch the leaders. Manchester City's decline may prove temporary or could signal the end of an era of dominance. For neutral fans, the unpredictability is delicious. For supporters of the clubs involved, the tension is almost unbearable. With so much football still to be played and so many variables still unknown, the 2025-26 Premier League season promises to deliver drama until the very final day. The international break provides a brief pause in the action, but when the Premier League returns, the stakes will be even higher, the pressure more intense, and the margin for error even smaller. Gameweek 12 has set the stage for a thrilling run-in—now we wait to see which teams can handle the heat and which will wilt under the pressure of competing for English football's most prestigious prize.