VICTORY BECAME a foregone conclusion within 120 seconds at the end of the first half as Arsenal found a precision too often lacking in the Premier League at present, reports the Voice of Sport from Emirates Stadium.

First Eddie Nketiah, then Joe Willock, who was excellent throughout, pierced a Dundalk side who had been enduring increasing pressure.

Nicolas Pepe added the third 45 seconds after the interval but, mercifully for the visitors, a rout never materialised. Dundalk kept the score respectable and Mike Arteta’s side, hardly prolific scorers in recent weeks, were largely happy to keep the ball.

Arteta, mindful of Sunday’s visit to Old Trafford, made 10 changes from last weekend’s defeat at home to Leicester.

Starter

This was an opportunity for each of the goal scorers, none of whom is an automatic starter in the Premier League, to shine against modest opposition.

All the same, the most striking thing about the starting XI was Granit Xhaka, captain for the evening, lining up in central defence. In event, the Arsenal backline was seldom tested, and Alex Runarsson could not have enjoyed a gentler debut in goal.

Nketiah had missed a presentable opportunity before plundering the opener. Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers reached for Reiss Nelson’s corner but could not get a fist on the ball. It cannoned into Daniel Cleary and sat up for Nketiah to fire in from close range.

If that were not galling enough, Cameron Dummigan ceded possession in the centre and Nketiah collected the loose ball and picked out Pepe. The Frenchman’s first-time shot was blocked by Brian Gartland, who could only look on helplessly as Willock scooped up rebound, took an adroit touch, and lashed home a richly deserved goal.

Pepe, whose Arsenal career feels stop-start thus far, finally registered with a curling effort into the top corner on his supposedly weaker right foot. He was replaced with half an hour remaining, suggesting that Arteta may be resting him for some kind of involvement at Manchester United.

Technical area

There was a raft of changes on both sides, with Dundalk head coach Filippo Giovagnoli making a point before kick-off of prioritising his side’s meeting with St Patrick’s Athletic this weekend. The Italian, who is without a UEFA Pro License, was at least able to take his place in the technical area having been granted special dispensation following his absence from the touchline when Dundalk hosted Molde last week.

Notably, Dundalk became the first Europa League side in 10 years to complete a match without committing a foul.

Late on, Arsenal gave a debut to Folarin Balogun. The 19-year-old forward attracted considerable attention during the summer when his contract talks stalled. Arteta, however, has shown himself amenable to players willing to commit and force their way back into contention.

With two group stage wins from two, Arsenal are well placed and this competition is the perfect stage for the team’s fringe players to shine.

A handful at least gave Arteta something to think about on a comfortable night.