Arsenal continued their fine Champions League form with a convincing 3–0 victory over Club Brugge at the Jan Breydelstadion.Noni Madueke’s stunning strike separated the sides at half-time, though ...
Arsenal continued their fine Champions League form with a convincing 3–0 victory over Club Brugge at the Jan Breydelstadion.
Noni Madueke’s stunning strike separated the sides at half-time, though the Belgian hosts caused problems on the counterattack and kept the Gunners alert throughout the opening period.
A brilliant finish from Gabriel Martinelli, followed by Madueke’s second of the night, secured a dominant second half for Mikel Arteta’s side. The win earned Arsenal all three points and moved them three clear at the top of the Champions League table.
As it happened
Both sides began with real energy, each looking to create danger early on, with Martin Ødegaard producing the best chance of the opening 15 minutes.
After the initial chaos settled, the Gunners started to take control, dictating possession as they pushed for the opener.
Piero Hincapié came close to breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute after Myles Lewis-Skelly fizzed a ball into the box from the edge of the area. The defender’s effort, however, cannoned off the post to the relief of the home side.
The pressure finally told when Noni Madueke burst through the centre of Brugge’s half, gliding past two defenders before unleashing a thunderous effort into the top-right corner. Dani van den Heuvel had no chance, and the Gunners claimed a deserved lead.
The home side began to shift the momentum after the opener, with Carlos Forbs becoming the focal point of their attacks down the right.
He tested David Raya with a sharp effort that forced the goalkeeper into action, before Hans Vanaken tried his luck from distance, flashing a strike narrowly past the post to remind Arsenal that the Belgian champions remained a real threat.
Ivan Leko’s side continued to trouble the Gunners on the counter, with Aleksandar Stankovic testing Raya once again and forcing the goalkeeper into another quick reaction stop.
The hosts looked the stronger side heading into half-time, but Arsenal held on to their narrow 1–0 lead as they looked to extend their strong record against Belgian opposition, having not lost to a side from Belgium since their 1981 defeat to KFC Winterslag.
It was the perfect start to the second half for the away side, as Madueke grabbed his second of the night. A superb delivery from Martín Zubimendi found the winger unmarked at the back post, leaving him with a simple finish from two yards out.
Mikel Arteta’s side continued to apply pressure, with their second goal arriving at the ideal moment to seize full control of the match and push for an extended lead.
A wonder strike from Gabriel Martinelli soon made it three. Cutting onto his favoured right foot, the winger unleashed a stunning effort past Van den Heuvel to put the game beyond reach for the hosts. The goal also saw him set a new Arsenal record, becoming the first player to score in five consecutive Champions League matches.
Brugge had a handful of opportunities to pull one back but failed to find a finishing touch, a theme that defined their night against a makeshift Arsenal defence.
There was also a welcome moment for the visitors as Gabriel Jesus made his return from injury after 342 days. The Brazilian nearly marked the occasion with a goal, cutting onto his right foot and rattling the crossbar with a powerful strike in the 79th minute.
A composed closing spell from the North London side ensured they saw out the match comfortably, securing an important victory following their late heartbreak at Villa Park.
The lineups
Category: General Sports
