CLUB BRUGGE 0-3 ARSENAL: Noni Madueke’s brace either side of half-time and a goal from Gabriel Martinelli ensured a sixth straight Champions League win for the Gunners
Arsenal bounced back from defeat and romped to a 3-0 victory over Club Brugge to maintain their perfect record in the Champions League. Two goals from Noni Madueke and a strike from Gabriel Martinelli got the job done in Belgium, keeping them top of the table.
Madueke quite literally fired Arsenal into the lead with a Champions League goal of the season contender. The Gunners’ injury-hit back four then had stave off the threat of an equaliser before half-time, with David Raya making a string of saves.
Shortly after half-time, Madueke doubled Arsenal’s lead with a much easier finish. Martinelli then got in on the act for the goal-hungry Gunners, producing his own stunner and put the game to bed in Brugge boss Ivan Leko’s first game in charge. It was a wholly positive night for Arsenal, with 16-year-old Marli Salmon making his debut as a substitute and Gabriel Jesus returning from injury.
After suffering a late 2-1 loss to Aston Villa on Saturday, Arsenal returned to Champions League action sitting top of the competition’s 36-team table. With maximum points from their opening five games, their target has become finishing inside the top two which would give Mikel Arteta’s side home advantage throughout the knockout phase.
Here are five talking points from the Jan Breydel Stadium.
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1. Arteta reveals injury blow
Arteta revealed pre-match that Jurrien Timber has suffered an injury after fans were left surprised at his omission from the matchday squad, despite the Gunners right-back travelling to Belgium. Supporters also picked up on fellow defender Riccardo Calafiori’s absence from the starting XI, as he dropped to the bench.
“They (Calafiori and Timber) both had issues at the weekend, two really bad kicks and for Jurrien, it was too early,” Arteta explained. “For Ricky, we have to manage it and see if he can do some minutes [tonight].”
Arsenal’s back four was makeshift, with Christian Norgaard drafted in at centre-back and Myles Lewis-Skelly coming into the team.
2. Madueke bounce back after scare
As if Arsenal didn’t already have enough injury concerns, Madueke went down holding his arm during the opening stages and needed treatment. Arteta sent Bukayo Saka to warm up and it looked as if the Gunners winger might come off.
Fortunately, Madueke was fine to carry on – and he made the most of his continued involvement. Picking up the ball just inside Brugge’s half, the former Chelsea star shrugged off a challenge from Joaquin Seys and sent the left-back tumbling over.
Madueke then his way towards goal and unleashed a thunderous strike with his left foot from the best part of 25 yards. His shot kissed the crossbar on its way into the back of the net, giving ex-Leeds goalkeeper Dani van den Heuvel no chance.
It was a reminder of how much strength in depth Arsenal now have.
3. Raya to the rescue
“The one player you can’t be without,” said Martin Keown after the pick of Raya’s first-half saves. The warning signs were there throughout the first half for Arsenal, as Brugge found ways to counter attack.
Just a couple of minutes after Carlos Forbs failed to test Raya from one, the Gunners were cut open again. This time, a beautiful flicked pass from Brugge captain Hans Vanaken put Aleksandar Stankovic – son of Inter Milan legend Dejan – through on goal and the midfielder unleashed a firm strike low to Raya’s right.
But Arsenal goalkeeper got down superbly to deny the Belgian giants an equaliser, as his team-mates breathed a sigh of relief. It’s hard to disagree with Keown’s assessment.
4. Martinelli makes history
With reasons for concern at the break, Arsenal needed another goal to cement the game. How about two, then?
Madueke got his second of the night with a simple back-post header just a couple of minutes after the restart, nodding in Martin Zubimendi’s looping cross. Then it was Martinelli’s turn to get on the scoresheet, once again assisted by Zubimendi.
Cutting inside from the left flank, the Brazilian took aim from a similar distance to Madueke’s opener and the ball curled into the top right-hand corner to make it 3-0. The goal also made Martinelli the first Arsenal play to score in five successive Champions League games. Hot streak.
Will Arsenal win the Champions League? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
5. Jesus returns
It’s not Easter yet but Arsenal’s own Jesus, Gabriel, made his return from injury in the second half, 11 months after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during an FA Cup defeat to Manchester United in January.
The Brazilian came on for Viktor Gyokeres and could that be a sign of things to come? Although Mikel Merino has done a sterling job whenever Gyokeres hasn’t played, Jesus is a natural No.9 and offers something in behind.
Gyokeres had a very quiet night and frustrations could be heard from the away end. The £64million man will be desperate for a goal against Wolves on Saturday.
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