After Thursday night’s performance Arsenal fans will be left wondering — why can’t this side take the field more often?

Dispatching Standard Liege 4-0, like a group of adults playing kids in the park, the so-called “second-string” are looking somewhat better than the first.

Granted, full-backs Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney are guaranteed starters when they are fully fit. Supporters are left puzzled when Lucas Torreira is relegated to the bench for Premier League games and this weekend’s match against Bournemouth will likely see him miss out on a starting berth once again.

The duo of Torreira and Dani Ceballos is what a large portion of the Gunners fan base wants to see on a weekly basis. But manager Unai Emery continues to persist with Granit Xhaka, who this week was made captain and Matteo Guendouzi — who has backed up his starts with solid performances.

Arsenal’s fluid play in this Europa League win has so far this season not been matched by those tasked with playing weekly in the Premier League. No doubt some regular starters will be feeling the pressure if this younger crop puts in more performances like they did against Liege.

“Each match for the young players, if they play like tonight, [shows] they deserve to be with us,” said Emery after the game. “In matches like tonight it’s good to use them because we are playing in an important competition, after the Premier League.”

“Here they are deserving to be with us for the next matches. When they are coming through in key moments — in matches with a high level — they are closer to us.”

Though Emery would argue that the standard of the Belgians is lower than the likes of Bournemouth, who visit Ashburton Grove on Sunday, you can only beat what is in front of you. There’s no doubt Liege would give plenty of Premier League sides a run for their money.

Arsenal’s performance on Thursday night was virtually flawless. Fringe players made their claim to become regulars in the first-team squad and youngster Gabriel Martinelli, who bagged the first two goals in as many minutes in the first half, put to bed claims made by his manager prior to the game that he wasn’t a striker.

“He played in the pre-season with us and in every training session he showed us he’s hungry to be with us and to have the opportunity to show his capacity,” said Emery when he was pressed on the comments.

“His patience is amazing. In pre-season he played in many positions. Above all he prefers to play left-winger — he also played as a right-winger. I am using him as a striker because he played in that position in Brazil.

“It’s not the best position for him but the first thing in his mind is to help us and to achieve, with that opportunity, some minutes with us. Really, for example, I think his performance and aptitude were amazing tonight …

“In the pre-season he was perfect all the time with us, playing, training. I spoke with him to be calm, because when his opportunity arrives to play if he continues training with that hunger I think he is going to do well.

“Tonight confirmed that.”

Though his league chances will be slim, with Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ahead of him in the pecking order, the Brazilian showed his finishing prowess and even managed to grab an assist for Ceballos after the break.

Club-record signing Nicolas Pepe was introduced with 25 minutes to go. His spell in England so far has been somewhat disappointing and if there was ever a game to pick up some confidence, 4-0 at home against lacklustre opposition was the perfect setting.

He nearly won a penalty moments after coming on which would have excited fans and Emery alike.

Likewise Joe Willock’s performance, finding the back of the net with an excellent finish and doing his chances of making the squad taking on Bournemouth no harm.

And his showing raised questions as to how Mesut Ozil, the Gunners’ highest earner, gets back into the team.

With Emery often choosing to operate with three more defence-minded midfielders in the league, Ozil has often found himself out of the spotlight. His manager’s advice to him on this was simple — work hard and you will find yourself back in the starting 11.

“I am thinking every time of the best players for the match, the best players in the squad to play and help us. When I decided he isn’t in the squad, it’s because I think other players deserve it more.

“What does he have to do [to get back into the team]? Continue working.

“Sunday we have another match. We are going to decide the same, the best first 11 possible to achieve our targets to win on Sunday, adapting to that difficulty against Bournemouth and carrying on with our way.”