4 positives and 1 negative as Arsenal record a huge UCL victory over Club Brugge

Arsenal all but secured their place in the UCL Round of 16 as they stormed to a big 3-0 win over Club Brugge on Wednesday night.

One could have forgiven a slow start but the Gunners instead flew out of the blocks in Bruges and did test the goalkeeper early on, with captain Martin Odegaard initiating a nice move that ended with his powerful shot being saved.

Then it all threatened to drift from the visitors until the second big chance of the night came to Piero Hincapie. The loanee reacted quick to divert a wayward Myles Lewis-Skelly shot back to goal but his effort only found the base of the post – a huge let-off for their Belgian hosts.

Yet their luck ran out moments later and in fine style, all courtesy of the magical Noni Madueke. The summer buy picked the ball up near the halfway line and slalomed his way past two Brugge players before unleashing a rocket from 25 yards out, his stunning shot crashing in off the underside of the crossbar.       

Positives and negatives as Arsenal claim a 3-0 UCL win over Belgian side Club Brugge

Brugge went close to a goal themselves before the break but were blown away in the second half as Arsenal ran riot. Just one minute in, Madueke headed in his second from close range before Gabriel Martinelli made the points safe ten minutes later, rivalling the first Madueke strike with a sensational curler from distance.

Here are the positives and negative (singular) from another brilliant European night for the League Phase leaders.

Positive #1: Arsenal B survive and thrive

Okay, to call them ‘Arsenal B’ is a bit much, but still…

The Gunners went to Bruges off the back of a first loss in 18 against Aston Villa and having dropped points in three of their last five league matches. Consider, too, the absences of both Jurrien Timber (knock) and Declan Rice (illness) and it is easy to see why fans might have approached this match in low spirits.

Yet the team gave a good account of themselves, playing with a nice tempo and testing the Brugge goalkeeper on occasion. There were also a few smart, defensive contributions from Piero Hincapie which kept the hosts at bay.

Admittedly, the opponents were not great – they boast just one League Phase win and have endured three defeats in their last five league games. Changing managers on the eve of this match likely hurt their chances of claiming victory too.

But you can only play what is in front of you and Mikel Arteta cannot ask for much more than a nice 3-0 score-line.

Negative #1: Inviting too much pressure

Taking the lead should have spurred on Arsenal but, instead, they lost their composure after the first Madueke goal.

Carlos Forbs seized a number of chances to get Club Brugge up the pitch and got the better of Lewis-Skelly several times, while Aleksandar Stankovic and Christos Tzolis each went close to dragging their team back on level terms.

The Gunners kept coughing up possession in and around their own box and, thus, only added fuel to the already raucous home support; it was a huge contrast to the typically unforgiving nature of this backline (remember when Arsenal did not even concede shots?).

Perhaps it was just a consequence of players not being familiar with each other amidst the wholesale changes, but it is a cause for concern – a better side would have punished Arteta with those first-half opportunities.

Positive #2: Magical Madueke

That petition looks more and more ridiculous every day.

Madueke saw his bright start in north London stalled by injury but has made up for lost time since a brief NLD return and he was MOTM in Belgium.

His brace will grab the headlines – that first strike especially so – though there was so much to like in his overall play; constantly seeking to take his opponent on, linking up well with Ben White and then pinning the defence back (important given the Brugge transitional threat).

It is priceless to have someone of that quality to rotate with Bukayo Saka and it opens up a range of options for Arteta in the frontline over Christmas. Madueke brings great energy and fans have only seen it in glimpses so far; maybe the next few weeks (and some injury luck) will allow his career at Arsenal to really take off.

Thank you, Chelsea!

Positive 3: Gabriel Jesus is back!

You cannot be sure if it is the Christmas spirit or a Carabao Cup tie with Crystal Palace but either way Gabriel Jesus has made a miraculous return.

It was just brilliant to see him back on the pitch here. Considering both his past injury problems and the nature of his most recent one (an ACL tear in January), it seemed for all the world like his days in north London were numbered.

But rotten injury luck at this club means he will always get a chance at Arsenal and just as well as he is a sensational player. Jesus brings an energy, dynamism and world-class talent that no other player can quite replicate in the squad; he will be an unbelievable asset to call upon over the coming weeks in the Premier League.

No one deserves good fortune more than him.

Positive #4: Last 16 here we come!

Not quite ‘officially’ yet but almost!

Even if the domestic picture has muddied of late, Arsenal maintained their 100% record in Europe against Club Brugge to all but secure a place in the Round of 16.

It is always nice to avoid the extra games of a play-off round and the Gunners have managed it for the second year running. Importantly, too, it takes the pressure off an otherwise daunting trip to the San Siro in January and should leave the team primed for a strong start to the end-of-year title push (you can never start too early).

Exact placement within the top eight remains up for grabs and, with it, there is limbo about who the Gunners might face in that Last 16 tie. But the hard yards have already been put in and so Arteta will surely prioritise the Premier League until then.

Bring that PL title home.