Club Brugge x Arsenal: where to watch live and likely lineups for the Champions League game By Thiago Lemos
5 min read
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Arsenal faces Club Brugge this Wednesday, December 10, 2025, in the sixth round of the Champions League league phase. The match takes place at Estádio Jan Breydel, at Bruges, at Bélgica, starting at 5pm at Brasília time, equivalent to 8pm local time. The clash pits the undefeated leader of the Gunners against the Belgian team, which has just four points and is looking to recover.
The central reason for the game lies in consolidating Arsenal’s position at the top of the table, with 15 points from five victories, while Club Brugge, in 26th place, needs to score to dream of the playoffs. The live broadcast is on HBO Max, an exclusive streaming service on Brasil.
The arbitration is under the responsibility of the German Sven Jablonski, with assistants Eduard Beitinger, Lasse Koslowski and Tobias Reichel, all from Alemanha. The VAR will be operated by Sascha Stegemann, from Croácia, and Ivan Bebek, from República Tcheca.
- Main absences in Arsenal: Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhães, due to muscle injuries.
- At Club Brugge: instability following the recent dismissal of coach Nick Hayen.
- History: first official clash between the teams in the competition.
Champions League action awaits 👀#UCL pic.twitter.com/Yk3e5p5hqY
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague)December 10, 2025
Change in technical command of Club Brugge
Club Brugge fired coach Nick Hayen on Monday, December 8, after a run of four games without a win in Champions League. The decision came amid recent defeats at Campeonato Belga, including a setback to Sint-Truiden last Saturday.
Ivan Leko takes over the role on an interim basis, with previous experience at the club between 2019 and 2021.
The change occurs at a critical moment, with the team needing points to climb the overall UCL table. Leko prioritizes defensive adjustments, as Brugge conceded 13 goals in five matches.
Solid performance from Arsenal on Europa
Arsenal arrives as the only undefeated team in the league phase, with five wins and only one goal conceded. The 3-1 victory over Bayern of Munique in the previous round guaranteed an early place in the round of 16.
Mikel Arteta manages rotations to maintain pace despite setback in Premier League against Aston Villa at the weekend. Os Gunners have 15 points and are looking for the top seed, which influences the future draw.
Gabriel Martinelli chases historic milestone, with goals in four straight games in the UCL. The team displays tactical control, averaging 2.4 goals per match in the competition.
However, injuries affect the squad, forcing adaptations in defense. Arteta praised the group’s cohesion in a recent press conference, highlighting the importance of the trip to Bélgica for momentum.
Probable lineups and tactical strategies
The teams define formations for the duel, with Club Brugge in a defensive 4-3-3 under Leko. The focus is on initial high pressure, exploring counterattacks with Tzolis and Forbs on the wings.
Arsenal adopts an offensive 4-3-3, with Odegaard centralizing the midfield. Rice and Merino protect the rear, while Saka and Martinelli seek width. Gyökeres acts as a reference in the attack.
Injuries dictate changes: in Brugge, Mignolet returns to goal; in Gunners, Hincapié replaces Calafiori. Ambas teams test variations in training, prioritizing possession of the ball.
- Club Brugge (4-3-3): Mignolet; Siquet, Mechele, Ordóñez, Seys; Onyedika, Vanaken, Stankovic; Forbs, Tzolis, Tresoldi. Técnico: Ivan Leko.
- Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapié, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Saka, Gyökeres, Martinelli. Técnico: Mikel Arteta.
- Alternatives in the bank: Para Brugge, Vermant and Vetlesen; for Arsenal, Trossard and Norgaard.
European history of teams in similar clashes
Club Brugge has recorded just one victory in 18 games against the English in the UCL, with five draws and 12 defeats. At home, performance improves, with seven goals in two European games this season.
Arsenal have won three of the last four visits to Bélgica, including triumphs over Anderlecht and Gent in past editions. The London team has scored 22 goals in the current phase, an average of 4.4 per match.
The first official meeting raises expectations, but statistics favor the visitors. Brugge exploits the local factor, with capacity for 29 thousand fans at Jan Breydel.
Expectations and context of the league phase
Champions League adopts an expanded format in 2025/26, with 36 teams in a single league and games until June. Arsenal aims for first place to avoid difficult pots in the knockout stage.
Club Brugge, with eight goals scored in the UCL, depends on residual victories for playoffs. Belgium’s recent run includes two away wins, but exposed defenses are a concern for Leko.
Factors such as cold weather in Bruges, with temperatures around 4°C, influence physical fitness. Ambas teams prioritize quick recovery for national calendars.
The game marks the end of the initial phase for many, defining direct and indirect classifications. Analistas points to Arsenal as the favorite, with odds around 1.33 for victory.
Arbitration and specific rules of the duel
Sven Jablonski, 35 years old, referees a game with Arsenal for the first time in the UCL. The German has averaged 4.2 cards per match in European competitions this season.
The VAR duo, Stegemann and Bebek, rigorously reviews goal calls and penalties. Assistentes Germans guarantee precision in offsides, a critical area in high-intensity games.
UEFA rules include zero tolerance for simulations, with possible suspension for repeat offenders. The confrontation follows post-pandemic safety protocol, with mandatory tests.
Impact on clubs’ national calendar
After the game, Club Brugge returns to Belga against Antwerp on Sunday, December 14th. The sequence tests the rotation of Leko, with a focus on recovering injured players like Reis.
Arsenal host Brentford for Premier League on Saturday, December 13, looking for a reaction after a recent stumble. Arteta manages fatigue with short trips via Eurostar.
Both teams have busy calendars, with winter breaks postponed by the UCL. Club Brugge is third in the local championship, five points behind leader Union Saint-Gilloise.
