Overview
Arsenal have the opportunity to repeat the miracle that only an English team has done once, if they defeat Club Brugge in the Champions League.
The "Gunners" traveled to Jan Breydel Stadium after a 1-2 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend. However, they have maintained their impressive form in Europe with 5 absolute wins to lead the rankings.
Coach Mikel Arteta's team is on a 9-match winning streak in the Champions League group stage, scoring 27 goals and conceding only three. Liverpool are the only English side to have won 10 consecutive group stage games, with a 12-game run between September 2022 and January 2025.
In the history of the European Cup, only 4 English teams have won all 6 of the first matches of a campaign: Manchester United in 1965 still6, Leeds United 1969 still), Liverpool in 2021-2022 and 2024-2025, and Manchester City in 2023-2024.
However, Club Brugge still have reason to believe in their ability to create surprises. The Belgian representative has scored 3 or more goals in both home matches in the Champions League this season (won Monaco 4-1, drew Barcelona 3-3). In the history of the Champions League, only Anderlecht have done the same in three consecutive home games, from December 1967 to September 1972 (4 games).
Brugge's weakness is their defense. They have conceded 24 goals in 11 matches in the 2025 Champions League, only less than Barcelona (27 goals in 13 matches). They also face the most shots on target (73) and the highest number of expected goals conceded (23.5) of all teams.
On the other hand, Arsenal have won six of their last seven away games in the Champions League (losing 1), including two away games this season without conceding a goal (2-0 against Athletic Club, 3-0 against Slavia Prague). They have previously won their first three away games in a single C1 Cup/Champions League season - the 2005-06 season.
A solid defense is the foundation for the "Gunners'" to perform. Arsenal have only conceded an xG of 2.59 - the lowest in the league - and have only faced 9 shots on target, which is also the lowest number. They also only allowed their opponents to create 5 clear chances, less than double that of any other team.
Gabriel Martinelli is going through a brilliant European campaign. The Brazilian winger has scored in all four of his appearances in the Champions League this season. No Arsenal player has scored in five consecutive Champions League games.
Head-to-head record
Club Brugge have faced 12 different English sides in European competition, but the upcoming match will mark their first against Arsenal.
The Belgian representative's record against Premier League sides is not very impressive, having won just one of their 18 meetings (D3 L14). That only win came in the Champions League: a 1-0 win over Aston Villa in November 2024.
On the other hand, it was not until October81 that Arsenal last lost to a Belgian team - a 1-0 defeat to KFC Winterslag (now KRC Genk) in the UEFA Cup.
Since then, the "Gunners" have been unbeaten in 9 matches against the Belgian representatives, winning 7 and drawing 2. away from home, they have not lost in their last four trips to Belgium (W3 D1) since a defeat more than four decades ago.
Score prediction: Club Brugge 0-2 Arsenal
The match between Club Brugge and Arsenal takes place at 3:00 am on December 11 (Vietnam time).
