Overview
- Brugge confirmed Nicky Hayen’s dismissal and Ivan Leko’s return on Monday, 48 hours before hosting Arsenal in the Champions League at Jan Breydel Stadium (Wednesday, December 10, 8pm GMT).
- Arsenal are the only team with a perfect Champions League record this season after five wins, traveling to Belgium days after a late league defeat at Aston Villa.
- Mikel Arteta is without centre-backs Gabriel Magalhaes and Cristhian Mosquera for weeks, with William Saliba still a doubt and Kai Havertz not expected to travel.
- Brugge are dealing with a lengthy absentee list that includes both first-choice goalkeepers Simon Mignolet and Nordin Jackers, plus outfield losses such as Zaid Romero, Lynnt Audoor and Ludovit Reis.
- The Belgian side sit outside the knockout play-off places on four points and have lost several recent matches, with local reports describing fan anger directed at the club’s board over reinvestment.