Arsenal's most important player in beating Tottenham was not Eberechi Eze

Eberechi Eze walked away with the match ball, becoming the first player to score three goals in a North London Derby since Ken Sunderland in 1978.

Without Eze's three goals, it might have finished Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham. With his goals, though, Arsenal fans can boast a monumental win. They have North London bragging rights because of Eberechi Eze.

However, in terms of sheer importance in getting the win today, one player stepped up. Arsenal headed into this match looking defensively frail. Riccardo Calafiori was playing through an injury he sustained on international break, and Gabriel was missing completely for the same reason.

Nevertheless, Arsenal conceded just one goal, and it came by a freak Richarlison goal. It was through no fault of the defense at all.

In fact, the defense didn't have to do too much. As far as Arsenal was concerned, offense was the better form of defense in that derby.

Arsenal's most important player against Tottenham was not Eberechi Eze

Quite literally, at times. Bukayo Saka stepped up for the Gunners in a huge way, showing that he can be the catalyst between a win and a draw/loss.

Astonishingly, Bukayo Saka made 14 defensive contributions throughout the entire match. No player on the pitch made more defensive contributions than Saka, and Saka was an attacker.

It isn't the first time that Saka has taken on this defensive role this season, and it won't be the last, either. The Englishman remembered his roots by getting stuck in defensively, and Arsenal benefited massively from his work rate.

Come the end of the season, Saka might not put up the same attacking numbers as Arsenal fans are used to. However, it won't be through his lack of effort.

Saka has emerged as a real team player these days. He does a lot of quiet work off the pitch that doesn't receive nearly enough praise.

The very fact that an Arsenal attacker won the most defensive contributions in the game tells the story you should know. Without those defensive contributions, it might have been ugly.

So, taking nothing away from Eze, who will deservedly cuddle the match ball tonight, Bukayo Saka's importance in this game must not be overlooked.