Arsenal secured another important win in their Champions League campaign, dispatching Club Brugge thanks to standout performances from their attacking players.
Noni Madueke’s double and Gabriel Martinelli’s five consecutive Champions League goal gave them a commanding 3-0 win over their host in Bruges.
The result maintains their flawless run in the group stage. Below is an evaluation of each starting player, rated in order from the goalkeeper to the forward line.
Arsenal Player Ratings
David Raya – 8
Exhibited a sharp start, intervening successfully early in the contest with several crucial blocks. The Spanish stopper made a number of vital saves, particularly in the first half, and his ability to pass the ball out from the back was also highly commendable, maintaining a fluid attacking rhythm.
Ben White – 6
The right-sided defender endured his third consecutive start within a short period, finding himself in a demanding duel against the opposing team’s rapid winger, Christos Tzolis. He managed the threat adequately but was cautioned with a yellow card during the match.
Christian Norgaard – 7
Operating out of position at center-half due to the squad’s persistent injury woes, he rose to the challenge admirably. The makeshift defender demonstrated composure and executed a few timely, important defensive clearances, stepping up effectively when called upon.
Piero Hincapie – 7
An active and forward-thinking presence in the back line, he was unfortunate not to score, striking the woodwork once and having another strong effort blocked near the goal line by a defender. He defended aggressively and was substituted early in the second half, likely a precautionary measure to prevent further injuries to the already depleted defense.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7
The young wing-back faced a tough assignment dealing with the speed and persistent threat of Carlos Forbs, who consistently looked dangerous on the break. It was a demanding, but solid learning experience for the player who is slated to feature in the next league match.
Martin Odegaard – 6
Showed glimpses of his quality by forcing a save from the rival keeper with a powerful effort from distance early on. However, for large stretches of the game, the captain was subdued and did not influence the attacking play as heavily as he is capable of.
Martin Zubimendi – 8
While deployed in the deepest midfield role, he frequently pushed into advanced positions to support the attack. He was instrumental in the team’s goals, registering assists for both of Noni Madueke’s strikes, including a perfectly weighted delivery for the second.
Mikel Merino – 6
Returned to his natural midfield spot after a recent run leading the line for the squad. His overall contribution was professional and reliable, if not spectacular, providing necessary stability and ballast in the center of the park.
Noni Madueke – 9
The outstanding player of the night. He opened the scoring with a breathtaking, long-range effort that is a contender for the club’s goal of the season, before securing his brace with a straightforward header. A truly dynamic and electric display that rightly earned him the Man of the Match distinction.
Viktor Gyokeres – 5
Making his first appearance in the starting XI following an extended absence due to a hamstring issue sustained last month. The striker struggled to establish himself in the match and was largely anonymous, making minimal impact on the offensive proceedings before being substituted.
Gabriel Martinelli – 8
Remained relatively inconspicuous throughout the first 45 minutes, but exploded into life in the second period, sealing the victory with an exquisite curling effort into the top corner. In doing so, he etched his name in the club’s record books by scoring in five consecutive Champions League fixtures.