Arsenal

Chris Howard
Fan writer

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Scoring open play goals, getting three points and being top of the Champions League group stage are all great, but my biggest takeaway from Wednesday night was that Mikel Arteta's use of his squad was spot on last night in Belgium.

Club Brugge are no mugs at home [ask Barcelona and Monaco], but Arteta's rotated team were able to render what could have been a banana-skin game a relatively easy one.

There was not as much defensive control with players like Christian Norgaard coming in, but I thought the way Arsenal were able to take their chances, particularly Noni Madueke, will have pleased the Arsenal manager.

Here during the most intense part of the season, where the games are relentless, you have to be able to rotate your squad and they need to slot in seamlessly. That is not an easy task to do but plenty of those on show last night demonstrated their ability to step up when called upon.

It is easy to forget that elite sportspeople are well-tuned athletes operating at such a high level, that even if you are just a few per cent off it, it shows.

That means players coming in without the cadence of regular football often struggle to find their rhythm. In Belgium, the Arsenal players who have found minutes scarce stepped up with no discernible difference.

Being able to exploit the 'next one up' when injuries and suspensions bite (as they have already done this season so far) could be pivotal if Arsenal are to be in with a shout of silverware at the end of the season.

Find more from Chris Howard at Suburban Gooners, external and the Same Old Arsenal Podcast, external

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Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus says the best version of him is "100%" yet to come after he made his return from injury in Wednesday's win over Club Brugge.

Jesus had not played since injuring his ACL in the FA Cup defeat by Manchester United in January and nearly crowned his comeback with a goal late on as he saw his effort from the edge of the area hit the crossbar.

Asked post-match if he can be better than ever now he's back in the fold, Jesus said: "100%. It doesn't matter about the chances I had. I got in good positions - I could finish the actions and hit the target.

"The three chances I had, I hit the target. Obviously I had to score, but just to come back after 11 months and move the way I moved, I'm so pleased."

It has been 332 days since Jesus last played for Arsenal and the striker credited his faith for helping him through the difficult period.

He said he appreciated the time it gave him reflection.

"Every single day, the first two or three weeks, I asked why it happened to me now," he said. "And then after I could understand that I needed to be more close to Jesus, to God, to read the Bible.

"It helped me so much, because it kept me believing that I'm a son of God, and then I could do everything if I felt God's plans. Because of God, I could stay 11 months, believing that I could come back good.

"I'm a different guy when I have a smile on my face. I'm 100% sure and then obviously now I'm more experienced. I had 11 months of doubting, of stepping back and watching everything around me - that has helped me a lot."

At 28, Jesus - who won four Premier League titles in his time at Manchester City - is one of the more experienced players in Mikel Arteta's squad and the Brazil international wants to use this to support the club's younger players.

"Just to help the guys," he added. "Obviously now I'm not a kid anymore - I'm 28, it sounds young, but Max [Dowman] is 15, Ethan [Nwaneri] is 18, Myles [Lewis-Skelly] is 19.

"I think more than experience, I can bring some difference to the players we have. I think if everyone is in good shape then everyone can help.

"We have an amazing squad now and then we can go for all the competitions, just trying to keep calm and then playing game by game."

Alex Howell
Football reporter

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Noni Madueke is the first Arsenal player to score their first three goals for the club all in European competition, and it was his all-round performance that impressed onlookers.

"It wasn't just with his goals that Madueke made an impact - he did really well throughout the game and showed he is ready to do a job when he is called upon," said BBC Match of the Day pundit and former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton.

"More and more, Madueke looks like a really smart signing.

"I already thought he was a loss to Chelsea, but you are seeing now he is back from injury that Arsenal can have Saka off that right side, or use Madueke. It bodes really well for them with such a busy period coming up.

"In the end though, it was just about getting three points for Arsenal and avoiding any more injuries - and they achieved both of those aims.

"They are still top of the Champions League and they still have a 100% record. They know they must be going through and they even have the luxury of maybe resting players now in their next game against Inter Milan, which is exactly where Arteta wants to be."

Read more analysis

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As is often the case when a player makes a move from a city rival, the switch is not always met with resounding excitement from fans.

This was particularly true in the summer when Noni Madueke was set to complete a transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal for £50m.

At the time, a petition was set up and signed more than 5,000 times, #NoToMadueke gained traction on X, and murals outside the club's Emirates Stadium were vandalised with 'Arteta out'.

We also asked supporters on our Arsenal page for their views, with responses including "a lot of money for a back-up" and "because it's another signing from Chelsea and previous ones have rarely done well".

However, nearly five months on and after a positive return from injury that has seen him score against Bayern Munich and Club Brugge in the Champions League, could opinions on the winger's transfer be changing?

After Madueke's double on Tuesday night in Belgium, BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Conor McNamara said: "His three goals for the club have all come in the Champions League. He's giving genuine competition to Bukayo Saka on that right-hand side of the Arsenal attack.

"Madueke was unfortunate with the injury he picked up early and missing out on two months but I do think it was a really good bit of business from the club to bring him in over the summer."

So, how do you feel about the ex-Blues player now?

Is he proving fans wrong who questioned the move? Will Madueke's transfer prove to be a good transfer?

Get in touch with your views here

We asked for your views on Thursday's Champions League win over Club Brugge.

Here are some of your comments:

Alexi: A convincing win with Madueke and Martinelli shining in their respective preferred positions. Norgaard looked calm at the back even without any experience and Zubimendi made beautiful over-the-top through balls which almost every time led to a goal. An important win to keep our record in the Champions League.

Paul: An accomplished performance against a poor Brugge team who gave Arsenal too much time and space. It's great that the Arsenal team does not seem to be weakened significantly when Arteta rotates.

Glenn: Fantastic performance, outstanding goals. Everything looked good. We've picked up quite a few injuries this season yet it hasn't affected us, or knocked us off our stride. Our squad depth is immense. Our belief is unbreakable. Had our minor blip last weekend at Villa but revenge will be sweet in a few weeks time when we take them to the cleaners. Long live Mikel Arteta. Ruler of North London.

Floyd: The score flattered Arsenal, though they were the better team. Great to see the likes of Rice and Eze given the night off while the injured defenders weren't missed.

Rachel: Without taking anything away from this Arsenal team (who were collectively magnificent), there was lots of space to play our football against Club Brugge. We can't expect this against all European and certainly Premier League teams. But let's celebrate this achievement and move forwards with the impetus.

Jonathon: An absolute professional, efficient, masterclass away Champions League performance against a mediocre European side. We can only beat who is in front of us and keep the momentum going.

Freya Sweet
BBC Sport

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Marli Salmon's Champions League debut against Club Brugge made him Arsenal's youngest ever defender at 16 years-old.

Overall, he is now Arsenal's fourth youngest player ever, with Ethan Nwaneri still the club's youngest ever player at 15 years and 181 days old.

The youngest four players have all debuted within the last four years, showing the strength of Arsenal's home grown talent recently.

Salmon joins Jack Wilshere and Max Dowman as the only 16-year-olds to represent an English side in the Champions league, all playing for Arsenal.

"He was ready - he was prepared," boss Mikel Arteta said. "Sixteen and he's playing in the Champions League. What a great effort from him.

"He can play as a centre-back or as a full-back. I'm delighted."

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BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Conor McNamara, reflecting on Arsenal's 3-0 Champions League win over Club Brugge on the Football Daily podcast:

"Very successful evening for Mikel Arteta, particularly in the context of the lengthening injury list that he's managing at the moment.

"The fact his team were beaten at Aston Villa in the Premier League last weekend meant this could have been a slippery assignment for them away from home in the Champions League.

"But, Arsenal showed that they are not wobbling.

"Five changes to the team. Christian Norgaard brought in to play central defence and Arteta said in his post-match interview that he was his best player.

"The win sees Arsenal continue as the only team with maximum points in the league phase -18 points on the board, two games to play, top of the standings.

"Two goals from Noni Madueke - the first being an absolute beauty.

"His three goals for the club have all come in the Champions League. He's giving genuine competition to Bukayo Saka on that right-hand side of the Arsenal attack.

"Over recent years that's just been nailed down as Saka's position but I think Arsenal fans will like this because Saka is going to have to up his game to continue to stay in the team.

"Madueke was unfortunate with the injury he picked up early and missing out on two months but I do think it was a really good bit of business from the club to bring him in over the summer.

"Gabriel Martinelli scored the third goal meaning he's become the first Arsenal player ever to score in five Champions League matches in a row.

"And to add to the general joyous mood of the evening, Gabriel Jesus came on for his first appearance since suffering a serious knee injury in January.

"He nearly scored as well - the Brazilian hit the crossbar.

"Bruges did well considering they sacked their coach on Monday. They had lots of chances and new boss Ivan Lecko can have no complaints about his sides' work-rate.

"But, Arsenal were by far the better team."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says Arsenal's "massive strength in depth in wide areas" was a crucial component of their victory against Club Brugge after a lacklustre performance against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Watch on BBC iPlayer

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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Supporters have been calling for Mikel Arteta to rotate his squad because of the amount of injuries the Gunners have and volume of games, and against Club Brugge he listened - making five changes from the side that lost to Aston Villa at the weekend.

Christian Norgaard lined up at centre-back with Piero Hincapie - the seventh different centre-back partnership Arteta has had to use this campaign.

At times the performance lacked quality and the game drifted, but Arsenal are in such a dominant position in the league table it did not matter too much and they got through the difficult moments they had just before half-time.

Arsenal took control of the game in the second half with the goals from Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli, and delivered a professional performance to continue their excellent form in the Champions League.

The dominance they showed in the second half allowed them to bring on Gabriel Jesus for his first minutes since January, and the forward impressed in his half an hour on the pitch.

He showed a lot more than fellow forward Viktor Gyokeres who had a difficult night, and it will be intriguing to see how Arteta uses the pair in the busy Christmas schedule.

The Arsenal squad has been stretched over the past few weeks and this match, along with Wolves, should allow Arteta to share the minutes as his side navigate matches they are expected to win.

Mikel Arteta spoke to TNT Sports after Arsenal's victory against Club Brugge: "We know how difficult the Champions League is, and to win away from home especially with that many players out, it makes it bigger.

"Christian Norgaard is someone who probably prepares the best out of all of them. He is someone who makes all of us better every single day. He can play in any position, whether he plays more or less minutes his attitude is immaculate, a really good example for all of us."

On difficulty selecting players: "Madueke and Martinelli were outstanding today, the level of threat and two finishes spectacular. Jesus back after 11 months, to see him perform in the manner he did was really positive.

On seeing Gabriel Jesus return: "There is a moment where you are all alone almost and you have to go through pain and uncertainty. He has gone through that a few times in his career, and it shows his mental toughness and how much he loves to play football. We are delighted to have him back."

On challenges of managing expectations: "Right now it is about managing the situations we have in the backline, some players were there but could not play more than 45 or 30 minutes. To manage that has been tough.

"But with the attitude that the players have, I know that if I ask anyone to play there then they could do it, and they have done a great job."

Noni Madueke also spoke to TNT: "I think the bare minimum I need to give to my team is threat. Obviously trying to score and be as decisive as possible, that's the next level I need to get to in terms of being consistently decisive for club and country. I think I can reach that level."

On the environment at Arsenal: "We're tight, that's the main thing. We want each other to do well, we know there are loads of minutes for all of us. It's about all of us as a collective, we know we all have a part to play. That's the good thing about this team.

On what Arsenal can achieve: "We're fighting on all fronts. I feel like we can win this competition and win the league, that has to be the aim. We're in a good place at the moment."

It was rather enjoyable watching Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Noni Madueke bagged a double - including a stunning opener - and Gabriel Martinelli finished off the scoring with a screamer of his own.

Take a few moments and settle down to enjoy.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Arsenal's performance

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

There are nine games in the Champions League on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Qarabag v Ajax (17:45)

• Villarreal v Copenhagen (17:45)

• Athletic Club v Paris St-Germain

• Bayer Leverkusen v Newcastle

• Benfica v Napoli

• Borussia Dortmund v Bodo/Glimt

• Club Brugge v Arsenal

• Juventus v Pafos

• Real Madrid v Man City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 20:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Real Madrid v Man City".

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.

Club Brugge starting XI: Mignolet, Siquet, Ordonez, Mechele, Seyes, Stankovic, Onyedika, Forbs, Vanaken, Tzolis, Tresoldi

Subs: Van Den heuvel, De Corte, Romero, Vetlesen, Sandra, Meijer, Nilsson, Spileers, Sabbe, Diakhon, Campbell, Furo.

Mikel Arteta has made five changes to the side that lost to Aston Villa as he uses his squad to rotate his team.

Christian Norgaard starts at centre-back and Viktor Gyokeres starts as striker. There is no Jurrien Timber in the squad and it's a young bench with four academy players named.

Arsenal starting XI: Raya, White, Norgaard, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendi, Merino, Odegaard, Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Setford, Nichols, Salmon, Calafiori, Copley, Nwaneri, Eze, Saka, Jesus.

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal are on the verge of reaching the last 16 – and could do so with a perfect record following five wins from five matches so far. Although permutations are complicated, 16 points were enough to guarantee a last-16 place in 2024-25.

The Gunners next face a Club Brugge side that sacked manager Nicky Hayen on Monday. They are facing an early exit from this season's Champions League, and they have lost three of their past four league games to leave them third in the Belgian Pro League.

Did you know?

• Brugge have scored seven goals in two home Champions League matches this season, beating Monaco 4-1 and drawing 3-3 with Barcelona.

• This is their first meeting with Arsenal, and they have won just once in their past 18 Champions League matches against English sides (D3, L14).

• They are the only Belgian club to reach a European Cup final, losing 1-0 to Liverpool in 1978.

Image source, Getty Images

Key Brugge players - Carlos Forbs and Hans Vanaken

Ex-Manchester City youth winger Forbs spent time on loan at Wolves last season but made little impact in 10 Premier League appearances - nine of those from the bench. However, he has already impressed in Club Brugge colours, scoring two goals and assisting two in the two home Champions League matches so far. He was also named City's U18 player of the year in 2021, ahead of Rico Lewis and Romeo Lavia.

Prolific midfielder and captain Vanaken has been with the club since 2015, scoring over 100 goals in more than 400 appearances. He has won six league titles and five Belgian Super Cups. He has scored 11 goals in the Champions League proper and is the fifth Belgian to hit double figures in the competition after Romelu Lukaku (18), Dries Mertens (16), Kevin de Bruyne (16) and Eden Hazard (10).

Club Brugge squad summary

They sold midfielder Ardon Jashari to AC Milan for about £25m this summer, while left-back Maxim de Cuyper and winger Chemsdine Talbi joined Brighton and Sunderland respectively.

Club Brugge have an exciting crop of youngsters, with 20-year-old defenders Joaquin Seys and Jorne Spileers both now first-team regulars. Midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic, also 20, hails from an elite footballing family - his Serbian dad Dejan won the Champions League with Inter Milan in 2010, while his uncle is former Tottenham and Lille midfielder Milenko Acimovic.

Antoine Semenyo is wary about joining Arsenal , with Tottenham and Manchester City also interested. However, Liverpool is the forward's preferred destination. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's' full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli previewed their fixture against Club Brugge and spoke about the self-belief he has and how he finds it easier to score in the Champions League compared with the Premier League.

Speaking at he pre-match news conference, Martinelli made clear that both he and the team feel ready for the challenge.

"We are ready for the game, and we are here to win," said Martinelli.

"We play at a big club, I trust myself and my team-mates. We know the quality that we have, and we have an amazing manager as well, so we know what we have to do in-game. We try to be calm and go game by game."

There is also a personal milestone within reach for Martinelli - should he score against Club Brugge, the Brazilian would become the first Arsenal player to net in five consecutive Champions League matches.

"In the Champions League, sometimes it is a bit more open. Everyone wants to attack, and we have a lot of space sometimes. In the Premier League, sometimes, as people say, they park the bus, and it's a bit more tricky to score and have a bit more space. I am really happy with the goals and hope to help the team keep going.

"I want to play every game - 90 minutes. But I want to help the team and win titles with this football club. Even if I play five minutes, I'm going to try my best, try to win and score and help the team."

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League game against Club Brugge at Jan Breydel Stadium (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Arteta confirmed Declan Rice is ill and has not travelled with the squad and defender William Saliba remains unavailable. Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard has "picked up another knock in an area where he had the previous issue" so will not be available, but it is not expected to be long lay-off.

• After it was confirmed that Gabriel Jesus would be added to the Gunners' Champions League squad following an injury to Max Dowman, the Arsenal boss explained: "With Max, unfortunately, he picked up an injury last weekend, and he had to come off. So we did some scans and he is going to be out for weeks. Then we have the situation of Gabi. We were expecting him to be training with us by the end of December, but Gabi has been pushing every single day and he kept telling everybody 'I'm going to be earlier' - and he has done it."

• On the worry for teenager Dowman picking up this injury now: "Part of the journey. At some point when you play at this level, when you play in the position that he plays, when you play in the manner that he plays, it was going to happen - and it happened. It's not ideal he picked up weeks, but it could have been worse. Learn from that. Now use this time to continue to improve in his education and in everything that is related to professional football."

• Asked whether the number of injuries was down to bad luck or training, he responded: "Training? No, because we don't have time to train so training is not there. But, obviously, when you are missing players, [it means] you are loading other players more. That's a consequence of that and it's a really dangerous circle."

• On how the team have reacted to a first defeat in 18 games: "It was strange because we do not lose that many. It is moment as well to reflect and have some perspective about what we are doing. First of all, when you look at the reaction of the players. When they are on the floor and the pain, what I felt in that moment - because I know how much they put in and how much they wanted - is difficult."

• He continued: "But it's also a reflection of who we are and what we want to get. This has to help us to be a better team, to learn the lesson, to value what we are doing. Because with all the difficulties that we have had since the start of the season, where we are in both the Champions League and the Premier League is where we want to be."

• Arteta expects a "really tough" match against Club Brugge with the Belgian side having appointed a new manager on Monday: "A new manager always brings new energy and new ideas, so we are prepared for that as well. We have to show again that we are right at the top and be better than the opponent to beat them."

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter in Brugge

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Gabriel Jesus has replaced Max Dowman in the Arsenal Champions League squad with immediate effect.

It means the Brazilian is now available for the game with Club Brugge on Wednesday night.

Jesus comes in for Dowman, who picked up an ankle injury playing for the Arsenal under-21s against Manchester United on Saturday. He will not be able to play in any Uefa competition for 60 days from today.

Dowman has had a breakout season for the Gunners and last month the 15-year-old became the youngest ever player in the Champions League after coming on in the 3-0 win over Slavia Prague.

Jesus, who also played in the friendly on Saturday, was initially left out of the Champions League squad because of an ACL injury he picked up in January.

However, the 28-year-old has recently returned to fitness and was on the substitutes bench for the games against Chelsea and Brentford.

Mikel Arteta will be able to give more details about the nature of Dowman's injury when he speaks at his pre-match press conference.

Declan Rice, William Saliba and Leandro Trossard were not pictured in Arsenal training, with Saliba missing the defeat to Aston Villa and Trossard being withdrawn before the end despite scoring after being introduced as a half time substitute.