Club Brugge 0-3 Arsenal: Gabriel Martinelli outshines Thierry Henry after Champions League heroics
Gabriel Martinelli made Arsenal history on Wednesday night as the Gunners beat Club Brugge 3-0 in the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta’s men entered matchday six on the continent aiming to get back to winning ways following last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League, and it took the Premier League leaders 25 minutes to take the lead, with a goal from Noni Madueke.
The former Chelsea player then doubled the London club’s advantage shortly after the break, before Martinelli ensured maximum points for the away side, marking their sixth consecutive victory in this year’s competition.
By securing maximum points on Wednesday, Arsenal became the fourth English team – after Liverpool in 2021-22, Manchester City in 2023-24 and the Reds again in 2024-25 – to claim six wins to start a Champions League campaign, and Martinelli set a club record in the process.
6 – Arsenal this season is only the fourth time an English team has won each of their first six matches of a UEFA Champions League campaign, following Liverpool in 2021-22, Manchester City in 2023-24 and Liverpool again in 2024-25. Momentum. pic.twitter.com/gBggC37dP5
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 10, 2025
The Brazilian surpasses Henry with a remarkable streak
© Imago / Sportimage
According to OptaMartinelli’s individual goal means the Brazil international has scored in five consecutive Champions League matches for Arsenal, a feat never achieved by any Gunners player in the competition.
Since Thierry Henry scored in six consecutive UEFA Cup matches more than two decades ago, no player at the club has recorded a continental record.
5 – Gabriel Martinelli is the first Arsenal player to score in five consecutive UEFA Champions League matches, and the first in any major European competition since Thierry Henry in the UEFA Cup in April 2000 (6). Accomplishing. pic.twitter.com/Wh1LqbAZW0
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 10, 2025
The Brazilian’s goals have come against Athletic Club, Olympiacos, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Club Brugge, and he will squarely match Henry’s European record when Arsenal travel to Inter Milan on January 20.
Wednesday’s victory leaves Arsenal three points clear at the top of the Champions League table, with Bayern their closest challenger.
Transfer uncertainty persists despite European exploits
© Imago
Despite his impressive goalscoring record in Europe, speculation persists that Arsenal could receive substantial offers in the January transfer window.
Although Martinelli only scored once in domestic competitions, he was prolific on the European stage, scoring five goals.
Previous reports indicated that the attacker could be among four Arsenal players potentially leaving during winter window; however, the likelihood of this happening seems slim.
The Gunners’ squad depth has been praised this season, and weakening a strong sector of their squad would be a bad move.