With stunning goals, player comebacks, a first-team debut and yet another three points to celebrate, it was a very good night\u2019s work all round for the team in Belgium on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
We made it six wins out of six in the Champions League this season with an impressive 3-0 win over Club Brugge, thanks to goal of the season contenders from both Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli.<\/p>\n
On top of that, Gabriel Jesus returned to action after an 11-month injury layoff, while late on Hale End Academy graduate Marli Salmon came on to make his first-team debut at the age of just 16 \u2013 the fourth youngest player in our history.<\/p>\n
So it\u2019s no wonder Mikel Arteta was all smiles at the final whistle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s a big win,\u201d he said. \u201cIt’s very difficult to win away from home in the Champions League, so big credit to the boys for what they have done.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNow we have some players back, it’s great to see Noni and Gabi as well scoring that goal, and a really, really beautiful moment is having Gabriel Jesus back after 11 months out with the difficult journey he has been on. And to see him perform as well, at the level he was on in the minutes he was given, and we’re all very happy with that as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cBig credit to him, and all the medical staff as well, because it was a very long period, very difficult. He has had some tough moments in his career, but it just shows you how much he loves to play the game, and as well how much we love him.\u201d<\/p>\n
The win was all the more impressive considering the defensive reshuffle the manager was forced into. Jurrien Timber failed to shake off a kick he received at Villa Park at the weekend, so Christian Norgaard was moved back into the defence, with Gabriel, Cristhian Mosquera and William Saliba all still unavailable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a lot of players out as well in the defensive line, so it was a challenging one,\u201d Arteta explained. \u201cBut that shows the attitude of the players, for example Christian [Norgaard] – the way he prepared himself, how much he wants to play. You tell him to play two minutes or five games in a row as a centre back and he will do it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes all of us much better as a team, so we need to recognise that first of all. And then, obviously the difficulty of the match against a team who have had great results in the Champions League against Monaco and Barcelona, a very tough place to come.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we had some great moments that defined the game, and we’re really happy – six out of six. We have to go now to Inter and try to beat them as well.\u201d<\/p>\n