I’m going to be truly honest now…I much prefer what happened tonight to that rubbish we had at the weekend!! The Arsenal returned to winning ways with ANOTHER three points in the Champions League to further cement there place at the top of the table. Arsenal rotated fairly heavily, with some surprise inclusions here and there but I don’t think you would ever refer to the side we put out as a ‘weak’ Arsenal team. We were particularly strong in midfield with Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard representing, I’d say probably two thirds of our strongest midfield and the attack was still quite strong despite probably being the second choice across the board. The defence on the other hand was very makeshift and particularly worrying with Christian Norgaard having to be drafted in as an emergency centre back in what was another new centre back pairing however, the team gelled quite well across the evening and looked fairly comfortable from the first whistle.
The Belgian team clearly looked a threat on the break with one or two players with raw pace in there and although Arsenal dominated the early proceedings, you felt like a cheap turnover in midfield could put us in real trouble. Thankfully it never really happened and Arsenal continued to probe and create some nice passing moves in pretty much every attack yet without really threatening the young goalkeeper in the Brugge goal. That was until Noni Madueke stepped forward and decided he was going to light up this game. The winger stepped inside from the right wing just inside the Club Brugge half and did well to outmuscle his fullback and leave him trailing in his wake before striding further forward. Madueke then unleashed a left foot thunderbolt from all of 25 yards that rose beautifully in the top right hand corner, kissing the bar on the way into the net. It was a goal worth of any game and I must admit, it was something that I really didn’t think Madueke had in his locker. I’ll happily eat those words later tonight when I watch the highlights!
Arsenal weren’t able to add to their lead and Club Brugge then had a decent spell of pressure and possession around the 30-35 minute mark which called David Raya into action a couple of times. No world class saves as such, but there were some really threatening moments when Raya had to be alert and on his game to keep them out. The half ended 1-0 and although you felt like Arsenal could have added to their score, Club Brugge will surely have been thinking the same about themselves so this one was far from over.
Just over one minute into the second half, it sort of was! Arsenal pushed Club Brugge back with a decent spell of pressure before Martin Zubimendi found himself in the unusual position of left wing, right near the Brugge byline. The Spaniard may have been in unfamiliar territory, yet he knows exactly what to do with the ball at his feet as he sent a lovely left footed cross to the back post when Noni Madueke was waiting to nod home unopposed from about 1 yard out. To be fair, it was a bit of a strange goal and one that I would have been quite upset about had Arsenal conceded it at the other end however, it was good play from Zubimendi and great movement from Madueke and Arsenal were 2-0 up, so I didn’t really care about that too much!!
It didn’t take long for Arsenal to add a third goal and really take charge of the game as Gabriel Martinelli, fresh from what must have been an amazing half time cup of tea having been quite poor in the first half, proceeded to put his stamp on the evening. After being pretty much marked out of the first half by Siquet, Martinelli showed the fullback a clean pair of heels for the second time in quick succession in the second half and once he found himself a bit of space on the edge of the box, there was only one thing in his mind. The Brazilian bent a beautiful right footed shot from the edge of the box into the far right hand corner of the goal, to ensure that Madueke didn’t grab all of the headlines on the night. It was a really, really good goal from an absolute resurgent Martinelli, having been so poor in the first period.
Mikel Arteta turned to his bench shortly after which lead to a first appearance in nearly 12 months from Gabriel Jesus, as he replaced Viktor Gyokeres with Calafiori replacing Hincapie in the other change. Gabriel Jesus actually went close to adding a fourth when he rattled the crossbar and he actually had various other dangerous moments where he probably should have marked his return from injury with a goal. Arsenal made further changes with Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka entering the fray and Nwaneri was another who went close to adding a fourth on a couple of occasions, only to be denied by two impressive saves. There was time for Arsenal to make one final change as Marli Salmon replaced Ben White in the final 10 minutes of the game to make his professional debut. A proud moment for Marli and his family and also for the Arsenal academy with yet another Hale Ender taking to the pitch for the club.
Club Brugge, to their merit, never gave up and had a few dangerous moments in the final minutes with Arsenal’s foot well and truly off the gas but this was Arsenal’s night as they returned to winning ways with a much changed side in a really convincing manner to bring a few smiles back to all us Gooners. 3-0 to The Arsenal.
David Raya – 7
Was busier than perhaps he was expecting and made one really good save low down to his left. Distribution was really good throughout and he maintained a great level of concentration, despite Arsenal’s dominance. Let a powerful cross/shot slip through his hands in the latter stages that fortunately when unpunished in an otherwise strong performance.
Ben White – 7
No fireworks, but a strong performance from White in this sustained run in the team. Linked well with Madueke at times, sometimes less so, but he was always a willing runner on the overlap and barely stopped all night. Solid defensively as well. Nice to have the real Ben White back
Christian Norgaard – 8 PLAYER OF THE MATCH
I was fully expecting him to start this game yet it never even entered my head that it would be in central defence. The Dane has played so little football in this last month or so and therefore to put in this sort of performance in an unusual position shows a different level of professionality that is to his absolute credit. I thought he was excellent. Made several important interceptions and headed clearances and was very composed on the ball and a calm presence in general throughout. Needs to play more!
Piero Hincapie – 7
Got away with being a bit over zealous at times as the leniency of the referee really played into his hands. Needs to learn that sometimes you just need to hold the player there (legally!) and let him have the ball while letting his teammates get back. That aside, I thought he was good again as very little got past him and he always looked quite lively when he has the ball in advanced positions. Always looking to make something happen. Came so close to his first goal for Arsenal as he expertly directly a Lewis-Skelly shot towards goal, only to be denied by the post.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7
Much, much better from the fullback. Looked more composed on the ball, stronger defensively and all round more confident in everything he did. Was pretty much forced to invert by Mikel Arteta at one stage, but he did well whenever he stepped into midfield. Still feels like he runs the risk of getting caught out when he plays for those free kicks, but thankfully the ref gave it every time.
Martin Zubimendi – 8
Probably should be player of the match, but given the circumstances of his introduction into the team, I went with Norgaard. Zubimendi was excellent as he strolled through this one with a real class about everything he did. Looked to enjoy lining up alongside Mikel Merino in midfield again as the two combined well on numerous occasions. Helped himself to two assists as well in what was a top, top performance. Mikel – please rest him now!!
Mikel Merino – 7
Neat and tidy in midfield, as he linked well with his good friend and former Real Sociedad teammate Zubimendi. Rarely lost the ball and linked well with the attack at times with some nice first time passes. A threat from set pieces as always although no goals on this occasion.
Martin Odegaard – 8
Another played who looks better and better every game. Always showing for the ball, keeping Arsenal moving, constantly probing, looking for openings. Had another sighter again today, which the keeper pushed away, but you feel that goal from outside of the box is coming soon and then a few more will hopefully follow. Pressed like an animal as always.
Noni Madueke – 8
Dangerous all night and although not everything came off for him, that’s the whole point with Madueke isn’t it? Bukayo Saka is very much the ‘safe’ winger, and I mean that in a good way, as he looks for openings and is happy to recycle the ball and wait for a better opportunity down the line. Madueke is the exact opposite and likes to take risks and as that’s what we bought him for, I don’t think you can knock him for it at all. Took a risk when he lined up a shot from 25 yards and it turned out pretty well so I for one, am not complaining!! A goal to dream of and one that will take beating (although I’m definitely open to the possibility!!) and he then followed it up with a tap-in header at the back post to show the other side of his game. It was a game of moments for Madueke and those moments gave us three points.
Viktor Gyokeres – 6
Not too bad. Sort of so-so performance. Threatened to get in behind on a couple of occasions, but it never really came off for him. Link up play was good at times, a bit loose at others. Looks a bit like he did in the early weeks of the season so hopefully this is just rust. Subbed after about 60 minutes.
Gabriel Martinelli – 8
The definition of a tale of two halves. I don’t think he was that bad in the first half, he just couldn’t get past his fullback. Siquet has his number every time and it looked really worrying for Martinelli, as the Champions League is where he has really shone this season so if he can’t do it on nights like this, where would his chances come from? One half time team talk later and he steps onto the pitch and absolutely rinses Siquet in the first few minutes before following it up again, not long after, to score a brilliant third goal for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta really is a genius!! What must he have said?!? Whatever it was, it worked a treat as Martinelli continued to be a threat all half and finished the full 90 minutes for the first time in a long time.
Subs:
Gabriel Jesus – 6 – So nice to have him back, even though his finishing doesn’t seem to have improved much!! Would have loved to see him bag a goal on his return, but a mixture of crossbar, good goalkeeping and poor finishing denied him the sweetest of moments. Linked up really well with everyone when he came on. Sounds like a bit of a cliché, but he really does make everyone around him looked better when he’s on the pitch. Amazing to see him back
Riccardo Calafiori – 6 – Came on for Hincapie at centre back, a position he’s not played a lot for Arsenal. He looked really good there to me. Still managed to find time to be a threat at the other end as well!
Ethan Nwaneri – 6 – Looked lively when he came on and should really have had at least one goal or assist during his time on the pitch. He is a tad greedy when he gets into that zone around the opposition box, which is fine when you are 3-0 up. I think he should play in Saka at the end when his first shot is saved and if the score was 0-0 and the shot had been saved, I like to think he would have made a different choice. Still a nice cameo. Need to find him some more minutes from somewhere.
Bukayo Saka – 5 – Probably the quietest of all of the attacking substitutions. I don’t mind that. Saving up his goals for the weekend no doubt!
Marli Salmon – 7 – Gets a 7 as it’s his debut and I’m a nice guy. Congratulations to Marli and his family on an amazing achievement. More to come from this man I’m sure.