Arsenal delivered another assured Champions League performance on Wednesday, sweeping aside Club Brugge 3-0 as Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli produced moments of brilliance that reinforced the Gunners’ perfect European run.
Madueke, formerly of Chelsea, opened the scoring with a long-range strike that thundered in off the underside of the bar, a finish that reflected Arsenal’s early dominance. He doubled the advantage moments into the second half, heading in from close range after connecting with Martin Zubimendi’s delivery.
Martinelli later sealed the win with a signature finish, drifting in from the left before bending a right-footed effort into the net from outside the box. Despite navigating a growing injury crisis, Mikel Arteta’s side maintained composure and control, stretching their Champions League record to six wins from six while conceding only once in the competition this season. Already through to the knockout stages, Arsenal now look set for a top-eight finish, a position that guarantees direct entry into the last 16.
The Gunners travelled to Belgium days after suffering their first defeat since August, falling 2-1 to Aston Villa in the Premier League. Arteta responded with five changes, introducing Christian Norgaard in central defence and restoring Viktor Gyokeres to the starting XI for the first time since early November.
Arsenal’s bright start nearly paid off when Piero Hincapie diverted a wayward effort from Myles Lewis-Skelly onto the post. Soon after, Madueke stepped up with his emphatic opener, slicing through space on the right before unleashing the strike that set the tone for the night.
Club Brugge, under returning manager Ivan Leko after Nicky Hayen’s dismissal, struggled to sustain pressure. Carlos Forbs caused occasional problems, and the hosts briefly threatened near halftime as Aleksandar Stankovic and Christos Tzolis tested David Raya.
But Arsenal extinguished that momentum almost immediately after the restart with Madueke’s second goal. Martinelli, often limited to reduced minutes this season, added Arsenal’s third in the 56th minute as Club Brugge struggled to keep pace with the visitors’ tempo.
Brugge made sporadic advances, but Arsenal finished stronger, with Gabriel Jesus striking the crossbar in his return after nearly a year on the sidelines. The Gunners ended the night in full command, showcasing their depth, composure, and confidence as they continue their flawless Champions League campaign.
What you should know
Arsenal’s sixth straight Champions League victory underlines the team’s dominance in Europe this season, with Mikel Arteta navigating injuries while maintaining top performance levels.
Madueke’s standout display and Martinelli’s confidence in front of goal demonstrate Arsenal’s attacking depth, while the defence has remained tight, conceding only once in the tournament. With a top-eight finish almost assured, the Gunners are poised to enter the last 16 without the risk of a play-off match.
This result also highlights their strong mentality following a setback in the Premier League, reinforcing their credentials on multiple fronts.
