Noni Madueke ignites Arsenal's Champions League charge with decisive double

The result kept the Gunners on course for the Champions League last-16 with a perfect record intact.

Madueke struck twice, once in each half, to underline his growing influence since arriving from Chelsea in a deal worth around fifty million pounds. His first was an outstanding solo effort after 25 minutes, driving past two defenders before firing in off the underside of the bar.

Less than two minutes into the second half, he added a simple header from Martín Zubimendi's cross. Gabriel Martinelli completed the scoring with a brilliant third on 56 minutes, becoming the first Arsenal player ever to score in five consecutive Champions League matches.

Arteta did not hide his delight at Madueke's quality. "It was an unbelievable goal," he said when reflecting on the opener. "When you talk about individual quality and magic moments, that was exactly it. At this level, players need to step up and do something different and he has done that."

The Arsenal manager also challenged the winger to keep pushing for consistency. Asked whether Madueke is now undroppable, Arteta replied: "It's about consistency. It's not about one or two games, it is when you do it 10 games in a row, every three days. That's the level he has to hit."

Arsenal travelled to Belgium without eight injured players, including Jurrien Timber, but still became only the fifth English side ever to win their first six European Cup or Champions League matches. They remain the only team with a one hundred per cent record in the league phase, sitting six points clear of ninth-placed Liverpool with a superior goal difference of 13.

There was further good news as Gabriel Jesus ended his 332-day injury absence, returning for the first time since rupturing his ACL in January. He came painfully close to scoring, rattling the crossbar with a right-footed strike. "It has been a very long journey for Gabi," Arteta added. "To see him back with that energy and that smile is fantastic. If he keeps performing like that, he will give us something extra."

Sixteen-year-old Marli Salmon also made his senior debut late on as Arsenal became only the second English club in history to win 10 straight Champions League group or league-phase matches.

By contrast, Club Brugge, who introduced goalkeeper Dani van den Heuvel after Simon Mignolet was injured in the warm-up, remain winless since their opening league-phase fixture and sit 31st, three points off a play-off place.

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