Arsenal bounced back from their second defeat of the season exactly how you’d expect them to do, if you’re cool-headed and rational in your analysis. I know we’ve been burned plenty of times, but this squad is made of stronger stuff than us. Mikel Arteta rotated his side, trotted out an even more makeshift backline, and the Gunners still thrashed Club Brugge 3-0.
The win maintains Arsenal’s perfect record in the Champions League and more importantly basically clinches a place in the knockout round
proper, avoiding the two-legged playoff. Technically it isn’t mathematically clinched, but Arsenal’s +16 goal difference essentially seals it. The Gunners can clinch the top spot with a win from either of their remaining two games, @Inter Milan and home to Kairat Almaty. That top spot guarantees home second legs throughout the knockout stage, a change from last year’s competition.
It was a more open match than we’ve come to expect from Arsenal, which is understandable given the backline of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Piero Hincapie (who was quite good and nearly opened his Arsenal scoring account), Christian Norgaard, and Ben White playing without Declan Rice (illness) in front of them. Arsenal allowed 7 shots on target, tied for joint-most in any match this season. Fortunately, David Raya was equal to all of them, including one or two difficult saves. The Gunners fired 11 shots on target, the most they’ve taken in any match this season, too.
Arsenal’s goals were magnificent, and Noni Madueke’s opener immediately jumps to the top of the list of Puskas Award candidates, in my mind. The winger flashed everything you want from an attacker on the solo goal. The skill to beat his man, the strength to fight through the foul, the pace to accelerate away from the second defender, and the shooting to rip the ball into the top corner off the underside of the crossbar.
Club Brugge fought back well after going behind. Winger Carlos Forbs was a handful and his combination of pace and dribbling gave Myles Lewis-Skelly trouble. You’d have expected the home side to come out firing to start the second half, but Arsenal had other ideas. Madueke’s second goal minutes into the half really took the wind out of Brugge’s sails. Martin Zubimendi lofted a cross for the back post and the Arsenal winger darted between two defenders to find himself wide open to nod it home. Zubimendi assisted both of Madueke’s goals, the first two-assist match in the Spaniard’s career.
Gabriel Martinelli put the match out of reach less than 10 minutes later. Like Madueke, he beat his man on the dribble, zipped into space, and fired into the top corner. The goal wasn’t quite as impressive but it was still a damn good goal. It’s tough to match an instant Puskas contender, but Gabby gave it his best shot. The Brazilian winger has scored in each of his five Champions League appearances this season.
As the match wore on, Arsenal totted up “feel good” moments. Gabriel Jesus returned to the pitch for the first time since tearing his ACL in January (an injury that came 6 or 7 matches after he’d returned from another knee injury, the one that had been plaguing him since the World Cup). He looked lively and sharp. The match was lower intensity and pressure at 3-0, but Gabby J was immediately involved and looking to score. He fired several shots, including one off the crossbar. If he can get back to most of the player he’s been throughout his career, it’ll be a lovely bit of found money for the team.
Ethan Nwaneri looked bright in his cameo, too. He’s such a good shooter and nearly had a goal of his own. You’d like to see him get more time and get on the ball around the box because that’ll lead to good things.
16-year old Marli Salmon made his competitive debut for the club, replacing Ben White for the final few minutes. Salmon is the youngest player to see his Arsenal debut come in a European game and the 4th-youngest player in club history, behind Ethan Nwaneri, Max Dowman, and Jack Porter (the GK who played last season). Arsenal are the only English club to give Champions League appearances to players 16 or younger — Jack Wilshere, Max Dowman, and now Marli Salmon.
It’s seriously impressive that Arsenal are able to win 3-0 away in the Champions League while rotating the lineup / playing with a bunch of first choice players injured. At the same time, the match (and the others without Saliba and Gabriel), highlight what the club are missing without their all-everything CB duo. The defensive is terrifyingly formidable with them playing. The openness and chances conceded without them only serves to highlight their absence. Every match without them is one match closer to them returning, and Arsenal are getting on alright in the interim. As I often say, this team is really, really good.
