Marquinhos and Nketiah give Arsenal opening Europa League win over Zürich

Arsenal’s return to Europe passed smoothly in a game that will take a strange, unwanted place in history. A minute’s silence cannot have been conducted before too many other second halves but before the restart both sides’ players linked arms and stood around the centre circle to commemorate the Queen, news of her death having broken at the end of the opening period.

A section of the away support had already performed a rendition of the national anthem and the stadium staff had, to their credit, reacted quickly to show an image of the monarch on the big screens at both ends along with words of condolence.

Mikel Arteta will be pleased with how Arsenal handled their task against a limited FC Zürich and especially enthused by a revelatory debut from Marquinhos. The young Brazilian winger scored their first and, after Mirlind Kryeziu had equalised with a penalty, created the winner for Eddie Nketiah. Arsenal did not overly feel the effects of seven changes and have taken early control of Group A.

What a moment the opener was for Marquinhos, who Arsenal had resisted loaning out after his arrival from São Paulo. The 19-year-old was visibly emotional after scoring. Nketiah had been released down the left by Fabio Vieira, who was making his first start, but his delivery needed to be perfect if Marquinhos was to have a clear chance. It was deliciously weighted and converted, on the run, with a right-footed finish into the top corner.

Marquinhos had already shown an end product, cutting on to his left foot four minutes previously and finding Gabriel Martinelli. The resulting header was wayward but Zürich were unable to heed the warning. In the period after conceding they found any kind of possession a luxury; Arsenal were dominant