The 25-year-old started his third consecutive competitive game for the Azzuri and provided a neat assist for their equaliser just before the half-hour mark in Armenia, jinking his way down the left flank before picking out unmarked striker Andrea Belotti at the back post with a precise cross.

Belotti finished with a smart volley and Italy went on to win 3-1, extending their 100 per cent winning start to qualification to a fifth game.

After the match, Emerson admitted Roberto Mancini’s men found it tough in Yerevan but recovered sufficiently from a difficult start to dominate proceedings and netted two goals in three minutes late on to seal the points.

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‘I am happy with the assist as it helped the team but, above all, I am pleased with the win,’ he told Italian TV channel Rai Sport.

‘In the first 15 minutes, Armenia were simply better and we have to give them credit but after that we dominated the game and deserved the victory.’

Emerson also reflected on his strong form in recent months, which has seen him become a regular for club and country.

‘I think it’s the best period of my career,’ he added. ‘I’m very happy at Chelsea, just as I was last season, but obviously a player is always happier when he plays regularly.’