10/12/25

Arsenal vs Club Brugge (A) - 10/12/25

3-0 

Player Ratings 

David Raya - 7/10

Ben White - 7/10

Christian Nørgaard - 7/10

Piero Hincapie - 7/10

Myles Lewis-Skelly - 6/10

Martin Zubimendi - 7/10

Mikel Merino - 5/10

Martin Ødegaard - 6/10

Noni Madueke - 8/10

Gabriel Martinelli - 8/10

Victor Gyökeres - 7/10

Overview of the Result 

A result that looks as if it should be celebrated when in fact I found the game quite dull. Its 3 points gained that maintains Arsenal to be top of the group and in the qualifying top 8 positons. Despite the story the result may reveal, I had an alternative reaction to the performances of the players. 

Despite this, still many positives arose from the champions league that maintained our position at top of the table.

The club gave their 4th youngest debut in the history of the club, Marli Salmon. A versatile player who could play centre back and right back, of which he came on in the last minutes to finish of the game as we led by 3 goals.

The Brazilian winger who arrived at Arsenal in 2019 from Ituano Futebol Clube at such a young age of 18 years old. His name was Gabriel Martinelli. He became the first player in history to score 5 successive goals in 5 Champions League fixtures in a row. This represents an extreme amount of dedication to be a 'game changer' that appears on that pitch late into the game and provide the electric engery to provide that substantial difference needed to help the team towards success. 

Yet, additional positivity arose from the return of the Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus, who was out for a prolonged amount of time to recover from a sustained injury that kept him out of the squad for endless months. Only those who have experienced such a setback can truly understand the frustration of having that burning desire to burst onto that pitch and contribute for your team, whilst isoltaed all alone from the action.