Arsenal underlined their status as one of Europe’s most convincing sides this season with a commanding away victory over Club Brugge, extending their unbeaten run in the UEFA Champions League and tightening their grip at the top of the league-phase standings.
Arriving in Belgium as the only unbeaten team among the 36 clubs in the competition, Mikel Arteta’s side carried both confidence and expectation. With just one goal conceded across their previous five Champions League matches, Arsenal looked well-drilled, balanced, and increasingly comfortable on the continental stage. Despite a number of injury setbacks during the 2025/26 campaign, the Gunners once again demonstrated that depth and cohesion have become key strengths of this evolving squad.
Club Brugge Enter Turmoil Ahead of Arsenal Test
Club Brugge’s preparations could hardly have been more contrasting. A 3-0 defeat to Sporting CP in their previous Champions League outing left the Belgian side drifting into the lower half of the table. That loss also extended a worrying run of three consecutive defeats in all competitions, prompting the club’s hierarchy to act swiftly.
Just two days before Arsenal’s visit, head coach Nicky Hayen was dismissed, with former boss Ivan Leko parachuted in as a surprise replacement. The decision sent shockwaves through Belgian football, with Gent — Leko’s former club — publicly expressing confusion over the appointment.
“I learned about it through the press like everyone else,” Gent chairman Sam Baro admitted. “Club Brugge didn’t contact us at all.”
The sudden change left Brugge facing one of Europe’s form teams amid clear instability behind the scenes, a scenario that quickly showed on the pitch.
Madueke Produces a Moment of Brilliance
From the opening whistle, Arsenal asserted control. Martin Zubimendi dictated the tempo, making more final-third entries than any other player during the early stages. Piero Hincapié struck the woodwork, while Arsenal created several clear openings before finally breaking the deadlock in spectacular fashion.
Noni Madueke ignited the contest with a stunning solo effort, surging forward before curling an unstoppable strike into the top corner. The goal sent the Arsenal bench to its feet and summed up the winger’s growing influence in Europe.
It was Madueke’s first goal from outside the box since March 2024 and underlined Arsenal’s increasing threat from distance. Since the start of last season, only PSV have scored more long-range goals in the Champions League, with the Gunners now boasting eight.
For Club Brugge, it was another worrying statistic to add to their defensive woes. Only Ajax have conceded more first-half goals in this season’s competition, with Madueke’s opener becoming the seventh Brugge had allowed before the break.
Arsenal’s Defensive Steel Holds Firm
Despite Arsenal’s dominance, a brief lapse allowed the hosts to mount a spell of pressure midway through the first half, firing off six shots in just 10 minutes. It was the most Arsenal had faced before half-time in a Champions League match under Arteta since April’s clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Arsenal’s defensive organisation proved decisive. Hincapié and Christian Nørgaard were outstanding, each making three successful tackles, while the team collectively completed 11 tackles from 11 attempts. Brugge’s forwards Nicolo Tresoldi and Carlos Forbs worked tirelessly but found little room to operate against Arsenal’s compact shape.
The slender 1-0 halftime lead still felt secure. Arsenal had not lost a Champions League match when leading at the break since a heavy defeat to Bayern Munich in 2017, winning 14 of their 16 such encounters since.
Early Second-Half Blow Breaks Brugge Resistance
Any hopes of a Brugge revival were crushed within 80 seconds of the restart. Zubimendi once again split the defence, releasing Madueke, who calmly finished to double both his and Arsenal’s tally.
The assist was one of six chances created by the Spanish midfielder, the most by any player on the night. Remarkably, it marked the first time in his professional career that Zubimendi had registered two assists in a single match, achieving the feat in his 256th senior appearance.
In contrast, Viktor Gyökeres endured another frustrating evening. The Swedish striker struggled to influence proceedings, posting a pass completion rate of just 66.7%, missing two big chances, and winning only two of six tackles — numbers that will concern both player and club alike.
Martinelli Writes Arsenal History
With 35 minutes remaining, Gabriel Martinelli delivered the decisive blow. Latching onto a swift attacking move, the Brazilian finished clinically to make it 3-0, effectively ending the contest.
The goal carried historic significance, as Martinelli became the first Arsenal player to score in five consecutive Champions League appearances. It was a landmark moment that further highlighted his importance in Arsenal’s European campaign.
Arteta responded by rotating his squad, withdrawing Hincapié, Gyökeres, Madueke, and captain Martin Ødegaard. Ødegaard had once again orchestrated proceedings, recording 23 passes into the final third at an impressive 87% accuracy, numbers unmatched by any teammate.
Substitute Gabriel Jesus also impressed in a brief cameo, rattling the woodwork and forcing two saves as he continues his return from a lengthy injury layoff.
Brugge Left to Regret Missed Chances
Despite the scoreline, Club Brugge were not entirely outplayed in possession. They registered 18 shots, seven on target, and completed more accurate passes than Arsenal. However, wastefulness in key moments proved costly.
Ultimately, Arsenal’s clinical edge, defensive discipline, and individual quality made the difference. The result not only keeps the Gunners unbeaten in the Champions League but also reinforces their credentials as genuine contenders for European glory this season.
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