Champions League Results: Arsenal Maintain Perfect Record, Man City Shine Against Real Madrid

Arsenal kept their perfect Champions League run alive on Wednesday night with a confident 3-0 win over Club Brugge, stretching their league-phase record to six victories from six matches.

Noni Madueke delivered the standout performance in Belgium with a superb brace, while Gabriel Martinelli added another as the visitors controlled long stretches at the Jan Breydelstadion.

Mikel Arteta opted for heavy rotation in the club’s first competitive meeting with Brugge, reshaping his defence after fresh injury setbacks. Christian Nørgaard partnered Piero Hincapié at centre-back.

Arsenal settled quickly, with Martin Ødegaard forcing an early save. Hincapié struck the base of the post midway through the half, and Viktor Gyökeres flashed a header just wide.

Madueke’s opener arrived in the 24th minute after a smooth solo run from inside the Brugge half, finished with a powerful left-footed strike into the top corner.

Brugge responded before the break, with Carlos Forbs, Aleksandar Stankovic and Christos Tzolis all drawing saves from David Raya, but Arsenal recaptured control straight after the restart.

Two minutes into the second half, Madueke doubled the advantage by heading in at the far post from Martin Zubimendi’s floated cross.

Martinelli added the third soon after, curling in from the left to extend his run to five straight Champions League matches with a goal.

There was further encouragement for Arsenal as Gabriel Jesus returned after 332 days out with an ACL injury. He struck the crossbar from an Ethan Nwaneri pass and later drew another smart save. Sixteen-year-old Marli Salmon also made his senior debut, becoming one of the youngest players to represent the club.

Brugge rallied late on through Kaye Furo, Stankovic and Bjorn Meijer, but Arsenal saw out the win to remain three points clear at the top of their group.

They now turn to Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Wolves before returning to European duties against Inter Milan and Kairat Almaty in January.

Manchester City also enjoyed a strong Champions League night, coming from behind to defeat Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabeu and intensifying scrutiny around Xabi Alonso’s position.

Madrid struck first through Rodrygo Goes, but City turned the match on its head before half-time. Nico O’Reilly capitalised on a fumble from Thibaut Courtois, and Erling Haaland converted a penalty to give Pep Guardiola’s side a deserved victory.

Madrid, missing Kylian Mbappe due to knee discomfort, have now won just two of their last eight games.

Full Champions League Results (Matchday 6 of 8)

Tuesday, 9 December

Kairat 0-1 Olympiacos
Bayern 3-1 Sporting
Atalanta 2-1 Chelsea
Monaco 1-0 Galatasaray
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-3 Marseille
PSV 2-3 Atlético Madrid
Barcelona 2-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
Inter 0-1 Liverpool
Tottenham 3-0 Slavia Praha

Wednesday, December 10

Villarreal 2-3 Copenhagen
Qarabag FK 2-4 Ajax
Leverkusen 2-2 Newcastle
Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City
Benfica 2-0 Napoli
Club Brugge 0-3 Arsenal
Athletic Club 0-0 PSG
Juventus 2-0 Pafos
Dortmund 2-2 Bodø/Glimt