NONI MADUEKE scored twice as Arsenal maintained their perfect Champions League run with a 3-0 win over Club Brugge.
The winger had only scored once for the Gunners since completing his £52million move from Chelsea in July.
But he doubled his goal tally in excellent style with a first-half screamer from around 25 yards out.
Madueke then settled a few nerves immediately after the break by heading home a Martin Zubimendi cross.
And winger Gabriel Martinelli secured the three points with a stunning effort of his own from the left side to cap off a perfect night.
Most importantly, nobody was injured in the process.
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Mikel Arteta was forced into a few changes due to a defensive injury crisis, with some players – including Christian Norgaard – taking up new roles.
But it worked out perfectly in the end, meaning the Gunners took a huge step towards automatic qualification for the knockouts.
On another positive European night for Arteta and Co, here’s how SunSport’s Emillia Hawkins rated the performance.
David Raya – 7
Was called into action more that he probably would have wanted in the first half but made some great saves to maintain his team’s lead and clean sheet.
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Ben White – 7
Effective when going forward, especially on the overlap with Madueke and occasionally Odegaard.
White has been great for Arsenal since stepping into the starting line-up amid the club’s defensive injury crisis.
Christian Norgaard – 7
Looked slightly uncomfortable at times – which is not entirely surprising considering he is not really a natural centre-back and has never played there for the Gunners.
However, the Dane made no big errors and helped keep the clean sheet. Doesn’t get much better than that.
Piero Hincapie – 6
Was denied his first Arsenal goal by the post after deflecting a wayward Lewis-Skelly shot towards the target in the box after 20 minutes.
His headed effort just moments later was then cleared off the line.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6
The full-back, who has been limited for game time this season, was caught out of position on a couple of occasions in the first half but nothing too serious.
He provided the assist for Martinelli’s goal to make it 3-0 to the Gunners.
Martin Zubimendi – 7
After a quiet first 45 minutes, Zubimendi provided a moment of magic at the start of the second half when he put the ball on a plate for Madueke to head in Arsenal’s second of the game.
Mikel Merino – 6
Had a fairly quiet game, but given the amount of minutes he has played in recent weeks that’s probably understandable.
Made several defensive contributions to help Norgaard out at the back.
Martin Odegaard – 7
Gave the ball away on a few occasions but for the most part did well to link the midfield and attack, even when dropping deep.
The midfielder had a tendency to move over to the right at times which saw him link up with White a fair bit.
Noni Madueke – 8
Netted his second Arsenal goal in stunning style after receiving the ball on the right, cutting inside, shrugging off two defenders and unleashing a phenomenal strike which flew into the top-right corner.
The winger, starting ahead of Bukayo Saka, caused plenty of problems on the right and formed a good partnership with Ben White out wide.
His third for the club followed at the very start at the second half, when he pounced on a brilliant Zubimendi cross to head home from close range.
Gabriel Martinelli – 7
Martinelli was quiet over on the left for much of the match.
That was until he scored a screamer in the early stages of the second half.
After receiving the ball on the left from Lewis-Skelly, the winger cut inside before easing past Hugo Siquet and firing his shot into the top-right corner from just outside the box. Just brilliant.
His strike saw him become the first Arsenal player to score in five Champions League games in a row.
Viktor Gyokeres – 5
The striker had a very quiet game with limited chances – although he didn’t get much service.
This could have been a great opportunity to add to his Arsenal goal tally, but it was an opportunity missed.
SUBSTITUTES
Gabriel Jesus (for Gyokeres, 62) – 6
His first appearance for Arsenal since suffering an ACL injury at the start of the year.
The striker showed hunger in attack and had a few chances but couldn’t make the most of them.
Riccardo Calafiori (for Hincapie, 62) – 5
Gave away a cheap free kick in a dangerous position late in the game which could’ve cost Arsenal the clean sheet.
Luckily for him, the effort smashed into the wall.
Bukayo Saka (for Madueke, 71) – 5
The winger created a few chances for himself after coming off the bench with the game already won, but couldn’t get on the scoresheet.
Ethan Nwaneri (for Odegaard, 71) – 6
Forced the goalkeeper into two good saves late in the game.
Marli Salmon (for White, 83) – 5
An unforgettable night for the 16-year-old.
Salmon was introduced in the 83rd minute to make his Champions League debut, replacing White at right-back.
Although it was a pretty quiet 10 minutes or so, the teenager will be thrilled to have made his first European appearance.
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