Key stats
- Arsenal haven't lost a Champions League game in which they've led at half time since March 2017 against Bayern Munich (1-5), winning 14 of their 16 games since.
- Gabriel Martinelli is the first ever player to score in five consecutive Champions League games for Arsenal
- Martín Zubimendi has recorded two assists in a game for the first time in his senior club career on what is his 256th game in all competitions.
Highlights
Analysis
Noni Madueke starred for Arsenal and was given the highest Flashscore rating of the match (9.0).
Match report
Mikel Arteta made five changes to the team that lost to Aston Villa on the weekend but his side showed early promise with Martin Ødegaard testing Dani van den Heuvel, who was making his UCL debut after Simon Mignolet was injured in the warm-up.
The hosts still held their own and Aleksandar Stanković saw a speculative shot blocked, but Arsenal continued to have the better chances with Piero Hincapié’s instinctive attempt hitting the post before Viktor Gyökeres’ header was deflected behind.
Their opener eventually came in the 25th minute through Madueke, who glided past Joaquin Seys and Raphael Onyedika before smashing a superb strike in off the underside of the crossbar.
Hincapié then saw a header blocked on the line by Hans Vanaken prior to Van den Heuvel holding Gyökeres’ header. Carlos Forbs offered the biggest threat going the other way, although the wideman had a shot blocked by Hincapié and saved by David Raya.
Stanković then curled an effort agonisingly wide before he and Christos Tzolis both had a shot saved as the Blauw-Zwart searched for an equaliser.
Arsenal got off to the perfect start to the second half as Madueke doubled his tally within 90 seconds of the restart with a simple header from Martín Zubimendi’s cross.
Gabriel Martinelli then became the first-ever Gunners player to score in five consecutive UCL games in style, breezing away from Hugo Siquet and Onyedika before curling a wonderful shot into the top corner.
Tzolis still looked to create problems going the other way, and his corner found its way to Brandon Mechele for a shot that was blocked by Myles Lewis-Skelly before the Greece international sent a shot of his own wide.
Gabriel Jesus was then left in disbelief as his attempt hit the crossbar. Even so, there was still plenty to celebrate with 16-year-old Marli Salmon making his first-team debut as Arsenal became the second English team in history to win 10 consecutive UCL group/league phase games to go three points ahead at the top of the table.
In contrast, Club Brugge are still awaiting a first win in this competition since their league phase opener, leaving them 30th and three points off a play-off place.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Noni Madueke (Arsenal)
Click here to see all the stats of the match.
Post-match reaction
Arsenal striker Noni Madueke said the club "are in a good moment" and believes they can win both the Premier League and Champions League this season.
Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: "The first goal was really nice, second a tap in but the first one was sweet. Delighted with the result.
"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."
"We're tight (group of players), that's the main thing," he adds. "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.
"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."
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta told TNT Sports: "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.
"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."