Arsenal can no longer ignore the impressive Eddie Nketiah

Arsenal got their Europa League journey off to the ideal start on Thursday night as they claimed an important 2-1 win away to Swiss champions FC Zurich.

Although the scoreline suggests otherwise, the Gunners produced a dominant display sprinkled with moments of individual quality and, on another day, might have won by a bigger margin. Overall, it was a formidable collective effort led from the front by the excellent Eddie Nketiah, and his consistent impact on the team indicates he can no longer be overlooked for domestic duties.

The Hale End graduate made quite an impression in the final weeks of last season but has operated in a limited capacity this term and he was forced to wait until Thursday to make his first start. However, he certainly made the opportunity count as he demonstrated his many talents in an accomplished centre-forward performance, which featured a brilliant run and weak-footed cross to Marquinhos for the opener and his trademark predatory instincts to head home the decisive goal.

Nketiah has developed at an incredible rate under Mikel Arteta’s management and shown the application and efficiency in front of goal to earn a starring role in his plans, but to oust Gabriel Jesus from the starting XI is no easy task.

Another impressive display from Eddie Nketiah must lead to greater Arsenal involvement

The former Manchester City striker has adapted remarkably well to life in north London and appears virtually undroppable at the moment thanks to six goal contributions in his first five Arsenal appearances, a new club record that later led to his nomination for the Premier League Player of the Month award.

While competition is healthy and ought to be encouraged, the selection headache could perhaps be navigated by fielding the pair together, as was done on occasion in pre-season. Both players are nimble, have quick feet and can drift between central and wide areas to facilitate neat interchanges and cut through the opposition, something they did to great effect against Orlando City and 1. FC Nurnberg in July.

Shoehorning talent into the side for the sake of it would be ill-advised, but Jesus and Nketiah clearly have a good mutual understanding and offer an enticing tactical weapon that may be worth testing later in the campaign.

Of course, omission from the first team does not necessarily mean a player is unfavoured, and Arsenal will have to call upon every squad member as they cope with the congested fixture schedule.

But Nketiah will still expect increased involvement after extending his contract over the summer, and the goods he continues to deliver on the pitch will make sure that it happens.