Arsenal head into the final round of the Champions League league phase with one mission: win and close out the campaign with a perfect record, something the club has never achieved. But before they even think about performance, Mikel Arteta has to deal with a growing injury list and the emotional hangover from the loss to Aston Villa. On the other side, Club Brugge are trying to survive their own crisis, a coaching change and a string of results that wiped out any sense of stability.
Club Brugge will try to stop the bleeding
The hosts are living through a turbulent moment. The heavy loss to Monaco in their Champions League opener looked like an exception at first, but it turned into a sign of everything that followed: only one point from the last 12 available, back-to-back defeats in the Belgian league and a style of soccer that completely lost its identity. Things got so bad that Nicky Hayen was fired 48 hours before the match against Arsenal, leaving Ivan Leko, a former Croatian international, to take charge on extremely short notice.
And as if that weren’t enough, Brugge face a long list of absences. Audoor, Jackers, Reis and Romero are all out injured. Mignolet, Sabbe and Vermant are still doubtful. Onyedika is the only player at risk of suspension. Even so, there’s one small anchor to hold on to: Brugge are unbeaten in their last five Champions League group-stage home matches, a number that keeps a bit of optimism alive and gives the hosts at least a slim chance to hold out.
Arsenal want to keep their strong European run
If Brugge live in turmoil, Arsenal live in contrast. In the Champions League, they’re flying: a perfect record, a spot already secured in the next phase and nine straight matches without losing to Belgian clubs. In the Premier League, they took a harsh blow with the last-minute defeat to Aston Villa, which cut their lead over Manchester City. The loss doesn’t change the direction of their season, but it comes at a tricky time, especially for a squad now dealing with injuries of its own.
Gabriel Magalhães, Havertz and Mosquera are in the medical department. Saliba and Trossard aren’t confirmed yet, forcing Arteta to reshape key areas of the team. Rice and Merino enter the match one yellow card away from suspension, which demands extra caution in a game that, despite the advantage in the group, doesn’t allow for complacency. And Gabriel Jesus, who could add depth to the attack, isn’t even registered for the league phase.
Even with the setbacks, Arsenal arrive in Belgium fully capable of controlling the match, dictating the pace and imposing their technical level. Their European form is solid, mature and convincing.