Arsenal travel to Brussels to take on Club Brugge on Matchday 6 of the Champions League league phase. The Gunners have the only remaining perfect record in the competition and a win would all but guarantee one of those coveted top eight spots. Brugge have struggled in the CL this season, earning just four points through five matches. They need a result to keep themselves in the running for one of the last playoff round spots.
In a surprise move, Brugge sacked their manager Nicky Hayen on Monday, replacing
him with Gent manager Ivan Leko. Here you go, Ivan. Your first match in charge is against Arsenal and you’ve had two days to prepare.
The Gunners are coming off a gut-punch, last-second loss to Aston Villa that snapped a long unbeaten streak in all competitions. They’ll be looking to get back to their winning ways quickly and probably appreciate having a game just a few days later to get right. Club Brugge have lost three of their last four matches — two in the league and a 3-0 humbling at Sporting CP. They are shipping goals at a concerning rate — three in each of their last three Champions League matches and have not kept a clean sheet in 10 straight in the competition. They’ve also struggled against English clubs in European competition lately to the tune of a 1W, 3D, 12L record.
Arsenal looked tired and leggy against Aston Villa. Mikel Arteta needs to get key guys some rest. But I don’t think that’s going to come in the Champions League, at least not from the start. If Arsenal get out to a multiple goal lead, Arteta will hopefully give guys a break, but the Arsenal manager has consistently shown that CL matches get first-choice lineups or close to it.
One name that will absolutely be on the teamsheet — Riccardo Calafiori. The Italian has to serve a yellow card suspension in the Premier League this coming weekend, so that’ll be his time off. Gabriel Jesus should be among the Arsenal substitutes. The Brazilian was added to the registered CL squad earlier this week in place of Max Dowman, who is expected to miss about two months with an ankle injury suffered in a closed-doors friendly.
Arsenal will be without the services of William Saliba (muscle problem), Declan Rice (illness), and Leandro Trossard (calf knock), but they could all be back for the weekend. Cristhian Mosquera (ankle), Gabriel (thigh), and Kai Havertz (knee) are out longer term for the Gunners.
Brugge are down two keepers. Familiar face Simon Mignolet is out with a groin injury. His backup, Nordin Jackers, broke his ribs against Sporting in the CL. Dani van den Heuvel is between the sticks. Romeo Vermant may return from concussion. Midfielders Ludovit Reis and Lynnt Audoor are doubtful. Centerback Zaid Romero is questionable.
Lineups will be posted when available.
WHO: Arsenal at Club Brugge
WHAT: Champions League league phase match day 6.
WHEN: Wednesday, December 10th, 12:00 pm PT | 3:oo pm ET | 8:00 pm GMT
WHERE: Jan Breydel Stadium, Brussels
HOW TO WATCH: Streaming on the Paramount+ app
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