Arsenal continue perfect Champions League run with 3–0 win at Club Brugge

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Arsenal made it six wins from six matches in the UEFA Champions League with a 3–0 victory over Club Brugge on Wednesday, powered by two goals from Noni Madueke and another from Gabriel Martinelli at the Jan Breydelstadion.

Mikel Arteta rotated heavily for the clubs’ first competitive meeting, reshaping his defence after further injuries. Christian Nørgaard moved into central defence beside Piero Hincapié, and Arsenal set the early rhythm.

Martin Ødegaard forced Tristan van den Heuvel into a save inside three minutes, and Hincapié struck the base of the post midway through the half before Viktor Gyökeres headed narrowly wide.

Madueke broke the deadlock on 24 minutes with a solo run from just inside the Brugge half, cutting infield before hitting a left-footed strike into the top corner from distance.

Arsenal continued to create chances through Hincapié and Gyökeres, but the hosts responded before the break.

Carlos Forbs and Aleksandar Stankovic both tested David Raya, who also denied Christos Tzolis and Stankovic again before half-time.

Arsenal reasserted control immediately after the restart. Within two minutes, Madueke added his second, heading in from close range after Martin Zubimendi delivered a cross beyond the goalkeeper at the far post.

Eleven minutes later, Martinelli made it 3–0, cutting inside from the left before driving a right-footed shot into the far top corner to extend his scoring run to five consecutive Champions League matches.

Gabriel Jesus made his return to action after 332 days following an ACL injury, striking the crossbar from an Ethan Nwaneri pass and drawing another save later from van den Heuvel.

Sixteen-year-old Marli Salmon came on for his first-team debut, becoming the fourth-youngest player to appear for Arsenal.

Brugge continued to push late on, with attempts from Kaye Furo, Stankovic and Bjorn Meijer, but Arsenal saw out the result to remain three points clear at the top of their league-phase group.

Arsenal return to Premier League action at home to Wolves on Saturday, before completing their Champions League league-phase fixtures away to Inter Milan and at home to Kairat Almaty in January.

Tosin, with over six years' experience, conducts incisive interviews, pens engaging features, subedits and delivers impactful stories for the digital sphere.

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