On December 10, 2025, Arsenal delivered a clinical 3-0 away victory over Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League league phase, extending their unbeaten streak to a flawless 6/6 record and all but securing a direct spot in the knockout rounds. Noni Madueke, the 23-year-old England international who joined from Chelsea in July, stole the spotlight with a stunning brace—his first two-goal haul for the Gunners—while Gabriel Martinelli added a sublime curled finish to cap a dominant display. This result catapults Arsenal three points clear at the top of the table with 18 points from 18, making them one of only three teams to win every group-stage match this season and Opta's outright favorites to lift the trophy (23.3% probability).
The win came just days after a rare Premier League stumble against Aston Villa, but Mikel Arteta's rotated side—resting stars like Bukayo Saka—showed depth and ruthlessness in Belgium. Arsenal now face Inter Milan away on January 20 and host Kairat Almaty on January 28 to close out the phase, needing just a point to clinch top spot. Back in the Premier League, they lead the table and host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, December 13, eyeing a potential trophy double.
#### Key Match Highlights
- **Madueke's Masterclass (25', 47')**: The ex-Chelsea winger opened the scoring with a moment of magic, shrugging off Joaquin Seys with dazzling footwork before unleashing a thunderous left-footed strike from 22 yards that crashed off the crossbar and in—his first Arsenal goal from distance since March 2024. Just 80 seconds into the second half, he doubled up with a poacher's header from Martin Zubimendi's pinpoint cross, ghosting unmarked into the six-yard box. Madueke's all-around threat (23 box entries, 1.12 xG) earned him UEFA Champions League Player of the Week honors, topping a fan vote ahead of Jules Koundé and Charles De Ketelaere.
- **Martinelli's Milestone (56')**: The Brazilian became the first Arsenal player to score in five straight UCL games, curling a right-footed beauty from 20 yards into the top corner—surpassing Gabriel Jesus's club record. It was his fifth UCL goal this season, underlining his resurgence.
- **Defensive Solidity**: David Raya's sharp saves from Christos Tzolis and Aleksandar Stankovic preserved a clean sheet, Arsenal's sixth consecutive in the competition. The backline, including a much-changed unit with Riccardo Calafiori, limited Brugge to scant chances despite their 88.8% pass accuracy edging Arsenal's 87.8%.
- **Injury Boost**: Gabriel Jesus made his long-awaited return as a substitute after 342 days out with an ACL injury, replacing the ineffective Viktor Gyökeres in the 60th minute— a timely morale lift amid a congested festive schedule.
#### Lineups and Key Stats
| Aspect | Arsenal | Club Brugge |
|--------|---------|-------------|
| **Formation** | 4-3-3 | 4-2-3-1 |
| **Key Starters** | Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Norgaard, Odegaard; Madueke, Gyökeres, Martinelli | Verbruggen; Seys, Spileers, Mechele, Meijer; Onyedika, Vanaken; Forbs, Thiago, Krooner; Tzolis |
| **Substitutions** | Saka (71' for Madueke), Jesus (60' for Gyökeres), Merino (75' for Odegaard) | Stankovic (46' for Krooner), De Ketelaere (60' for Thiago) |
| **Possession** | 51% | 49% |
| **Shots (On Target)** | 14 (6) | 8 (3) |
| **Passes Completed** | 419/477 (87.8%) | 421/474 (88.8%) |
| **xG** | 2.1 | 0.8 |
Arsenal's control was total, with eight long-range goals in the UCL this season (second only to PSV's nine). Arteta hailed Madueke's "magic moments" and dribbling bravery, noting the healthy competition with Saka on the right flank: "He's a loss to Chelsea, but he's ours now." Madueke echoed the ambition post-match: "We're fighting on all fronts. We can win this competition and the league—that has to be the aim."
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