Smith Rowe's second-half goal made him the club's youngest goalscorer since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain netted in September 2011 to cap off a mature performance, and the Gunners extended their winning run to eight matches as Guendouzi finished Qarabag off.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos gave Arsenal a somewhat fortuitous early opener, though the first half finished with Qarabag well on top and only the heroics of Bernd Leno kept the visitor ahead.

But Smith Rowe eased Arsenal's worries early in the second half and, although the hosts remained a potent threat, they were seen off by the Gunners, who have six points from two Group E outings.

Arsenal started brightly and, thanks to a slice of luck, broke the deadlock after just four minutes – Nacho Monreal's header from a corner striking Sokratis and finding the net.

Young midfielder Smith Rowe went close to a second 14 minutes later, but he could only find the side-netting when stretching to meet Sead Kolasinac's low cross.

But Qarabag improved and Bernd Leno had to be alert, denying Mahir Madatov when one-on-one just prior to the half-hour mark, before brilliantly blocking Filip Ozobic's volley late in the half.

Arsenal secured itself some breathing space early in the second half – Smith Rowe coolly finishing on the break after being fed by Alex Iwobi.

Innocent Emeghara was then guilty of shooting at Leno from close range in the 62nd minute, and Guendouzi put the game beyond the host towards the end, finding the bottom-left corner from 20 yards.