Arsenal demolish Club Brugge to preserve perfect Champions League run
Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli netted stunning strikes as Arsenal dominated Club Brugge with a 3-0 victory on Wednesday, securing their sixth straight win in the Champions League and almost clinching direct entry to the knockout stage.
The ex-Chelsea wide player Madueke fired a rocket from afar to hand the league-leading Gunners a well-earned advantage before the break, then nodded in from close range right after the interval.
The Brazilian attacker Martinelli sealed the outcome by drifting inside from the flank and curling a right-foot shot into the net from near the penalty area edge, rivalling Maduekes effort for the evenings standout goal.
This emphatic triumph positions the squad-plagued Arsenal at the summit of the Champions League league phase on 18 points, with a top-eight spot virtually locked in ahead of their final two fixtures.
A placement in the top eight ensures straight progression to the last 16, bypassing a potential precarious playoff tie.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta lauded his sides display, especially given their extensive injury absences.
To compete in the Champions League and claim an away victory, particularly with so many players sidelined, heightens the challenge, but I spoke with the lads, he shared with TNT Sports.
It came down to demonstrating our desire, grit, and preparation levels, and there were notable instances, like Christian Norgaard, who might train the hardest among the group.
Rare setback
Arsenal, the Premier League frontrunners who have yet to lift a European trophy, headed to Belgium following their initial loss since August over the weekend, a 2-1 reverse against in-form Aston Villa.
Ivan Leko, returning for his second stint as Brugge boss, took charge of his debut game after the Belgian outfit dismissed Nicky Hayen on Monday.
Arteta, managing his options carefully, introduced five alterations to the lineup beaten by Villa, slotting Norgaard into central defence and reinstating Viktor Gyokeres up top for his first start since November 1.
The away team began sharply and came within inches of scoring when Gunners backliner Piero Hincapie diverted a misdirected Myles Lewis-Skelly attempt onto the upright during the first half.
However, shortly afterwards, Arsenal took the lead via Maduekes spectacular effort. The wide man collected possession just beyond the Brugge halfway line, positioned on the right in the Gunners setup.
He veered inwards, accelerated, and hammered an unerring left-foot drive beyond Dani van den Heuvel, which nestled under the bar.
Brugges forays were infrequent, though Carlos Forbs, who bagged a brace in their recent 3-3 stalemate against Barcelona, posed sporadic threats down the right.
As the half drew to a close, Brugge grew bolder, with Aleksandar Stankovic twice nearly scoring and Christos Tzolis forcing a save from David Raya in the Arsenal net.
Yet any budding impetus for Brugge evaporated at the seconds start when Madueke, deployed on the right instead of the late-entering Bukayo Saka, rose to convert Martin Zubimendis delivery.
Martinelli, who has featured sparingly for Arsenal this campaign, added his name to the scoresheet in the 56th minute.
Brugge mounted sporadic counters, but Arsenal replacement Gabriel Jesus, returning after 11 months on the sidelines, rattled the frame of the goal as the visitors pressed for more.