Club Brugge 0-3 Arsenal: Can Noni Madueke find consistency?

Noni Madueke might reflect on the Champions League win at Club Brugge as a landmark night in his Arsenal career.

The 23-year-old scored two goals in Wednesday’s 3-0 victory, including a stunning effort from 20 yards, with his all-action performance again showing he can be more than a rotation option for manager Mikel Arteta.

“An unbelievable goal,” Arteta said. “When you talk about individual quality and magic moments, that’s it.”

Madueke has a tough task dislodging Arsenal‘s key player Bukayo Saka on the right wing, but against Club Brugge he offered a reminder of his talents as one of five players brought into the side after Saturday’s defeat at Aston Villa.

In the summer, his £48.5m signing from Chelsea was questioned by some supporters but the England international won them round with some impressive performances before picking up a knee injury in September that kept him out for about a month.

He returned at the end of November and scored his first goal for Arsenal in the win over Bayern Munich in the Gunners’ last Champions League match.

When given the opportunity, he has demonstrated that his versatility and ability to beat a defender can be a key part of Arsenal‘s season.

“I think the bare minimum I need to give to my team is threat,” Madueke told TNT Sports after the win in Bruges. “Obviously trying to score and be as decisive as possible, that’s the next level I need to get to in terms of being consistently decisive for club and country. I think I can reach that level.

“The first goal was really nice, second a tap-in but the first one was sweet. Delighted with the result.

“We’re fighting on all fronts. I feel like we can win this competition and win the league – that has to be the aim. We’re in a good place at the moment.”