Noni Madueke netted a brace as Arsenal continued their flawless Champions League campaign, easing to a 3-0 victory over Club Brugge on Wednesday.
The explosive wide man delivered a brilliant first strike midway through the opening period at Jan Breydel Stadium, then added a simple header shortly after halftime.
Gabriel Martinelli later added a spectacular finish of his own, helping Arsenal move closer to securing automatic progression to the last 16 with a sixth win from six in the league stage.
Before Madueke broke the deadlock in breathtaking style, Dani van den Heuvel had already beaten away a fierce effort from Martin Odegaard, while Piero Hincapie clipped the outside of the right post.
The England attacker surged forward and fired an unstoppable shot into the top-right corner from 25 yards. Soon after, Ben White’s powerful header and another curling strike from Madueke forced further saves from Van den Heuvel.
Just two minutes into the second half, Martin Zubimendi delivered a deep cross from the left that Madueke headed home, and Martinelli then curled a superb effort into the top-right corner to effectively kill off the contest.
There was nearly a feel-good moment for Gabriel Jesus, returning after 332 days out injured, as he struck the crossbar following his introduction from the bench, while Ethan Nwaneri forced two late saves from Van den Heuvel.
Data Debrief: Madueke shines, while Martinelli breaks new ground
Arsenal’s Premier League lead had been reduced to two points after their 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in their previous outing, but with Madueke leading the charge, they got back on track here.
The winger recorded a team-best four attempts, three of them on target, generating an xG of 1.01.
All three of Madueke’s Arsenal goals have now come in the Champions League, and he has scored in back-to-back European matches for the first time.
Martinelli, meanwhile, has found the net in each of his five Champions League appearances this season — making him the first Arsenal player to score in five straight matches in the competition.
This win also marks the first time Arsenal have opened a European Cup/Champions League campaign with six consecutive victories, becoming only the fifth English side to do so, following Manchester United, Leeds United, Liverpool, and Manchester City.
