Arsenal claimed a powerful 3-0 win over Membership Brugge to keep up their lead atop the UEFA Champions League desk.
The Gunners took the lead by way of a thunderbolt from Noni Madueke earlier than Martin Zubimendi put an opportunity on a platter for the Englishman to notch his brace.
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Gabriel Martinelli scored to change into the primary Arsenal participant to web in 5 consecutive Champions League matches.
Whereas Madueke, Zubimendi, and Martinelli will seemingly get all of the plaudits, David Raya between the sticks deserves recognition for a stellar efficiency.
Arsenal had managed just one clear sheet in six coming into this tie, however the 30-year-old refused to be crushed.
The Spaniard made seven saves, together with six from contained in the field and prevented anticipated objectives of round 1.12.
The goalkeeper additionally accomplished 21 of 24 passes, demonstrating efficient distribution.
Raya made sensible saves from Carlos Forbs, Christos Tzolis and Aleksandar Stankovic.
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gave him an 8/10 ranking and hailed his efficiency. He was the unheralded hero for Arsenal on the night time.
With the shaky Piero Hincapie and midfielder Christian Norgaard lining up in defence in entrance of him, Raya wanted to be at his greatest for Arsenal and delivered the products.
The North Londoners have been decimated by accidents, leaving them gentle on the again.
William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and are all at the moment sidelined.
Arsenal will want Raya to play out of his pores and skin within the coming video games as they give the impression of being to take their lead on the prime of the Premier League desk into the brand new yr.
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Manchester Metropolis are respiration down their necks.
Arsenal’s watertight defence was the core of this workforce.
Initially of the season, they harboured goals of breaking Chelsea’s report of solely 15 objectives conceded in a season.
Nevertheless, with accidents threatening to interrupt the rearguard and derail Arsenal’s marketing campaign, they should shelve these goals and hope Raya steps up until the defenders return.
The Gunners welcome bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium this weekend.