Key Takeaways:
- Arsenal defeated Club Brugge 3-0 away to secure their sixth consecutive Champions League victory
- The Gunners became the first team to book a place in the tournament’s round of 16, boasting a goal difference of 17:1 without dropping a single point
- Sixteen-year-old Marley Salmon made his Champions League debut, becoming the sixth youngest player in competition history
Match Analysis
Arsenal maintained their unblemished Champions League record with a convincing 3-0 victory at Club Brugge, marking their sixth successive win and confirming their progress to the competition’s last sixteen. Mikel Arteta took the opportunity to rotate his lineup, resting several regulars, but his side still delivered a professional and dominant display in Belgium.
Business done in Belgium 🙌 pic.twitter.com/OyoPPq7x42
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 10, 2025
How the Match Unfolded
Arsenal quickly took control of possession, while Club Brugge, under the interim guidance of Ivan Leko after Nicky Hayen’s midweek dismissal, attempted to hit on the break. Martin Odegaard fired the visitors’ first warning shot at Daniel van den Heuvel, but the Brugge goalkeeper was alert to the danger. The Gunners kept increasing the pressure and nearly broke the deadlock in the 21st minute when Piero Hincapié struck the post, followed seconds later by Viktor Gyökeres shooting just wide.
The opening goal arrived in the 25th minute thanks to a superb solo effort from Noni Madueke, who powered through the centre before unleashing an unstoppable strike from outside the penalty area. Van den Heuvel was kept busy, with Hincapié nearly adding a second from a corner in the 29th minute, only for Hans Vanaken to clear off the line. Arsenal continued to create opportunities, with Martinelli and Gyökeres both going close, before Carlos Forbs forced a save from David Raya at the other end.
Club Brugge pressed for an equaliser before the interval, with Alexander Stankovic and Christos Tzolis threatening, only to be denied by Raya. Madueke was also denied a second goal by Van den Heuvel just prior to the break.
Second Half Dominance
The line-ups remained unchanged at half-time, but Arsenal began the second period with renewed intensity. Martin Zubimendi set up Noni Madueke to double his tally in the 47th minute, meeting a cross at the back post to make it 2-0. The contest was effectively settled by the 56th minute, when Gabriel Martinelli surged in from the left wing and curled a remarkable effort beyond Van den Heuvel for Arsenal’s third.
With victory assured, Arteta managed his squad’s energy ahead of future fixtures. In the 62nd minute, Gabriel Jesus returned to competitive action for the first time since January, replacing Viktor Gyökeres. Riccardo Calafiori also entered the fray, while Club Brugge introduced Caje Furo and Bjorn Meijer. The Belgian hosts struggled to fashion a response as Arsenal controlled proceedings.
Arteta later brought on Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka, who took the captaincy. Gabriel Jesus almost marked his return with a goal, but was denied by Van den Heuvel and later by the crossbar in the 79th minute. The latter stages saw both sides play without pressure, creating opportunities at either end, with the goalkeepers pulling off several notable saves.
Notable Performances and Milestones
Sixteen-year-old Marley Salmon entered the match for Arsenal and became the sixth youngest player ever to feature in the Champions League, further highlighting the depth of talent at Arteta’s disposal.
Current Standings and Next Fixtures
Club Brugge now sit 31st in the standings and retain only a slender chance of progressing to the knockout rounds. Their next Champions League fixture will be an away trip to Kairat. Arsenal, meanwhile, will make the journey to Milan to face Inter in their upcoming European outing.
