Blues Reserves were given a harsh lesson by a ruthless Arsenal team as Terry Westley's side began their Barclays Premier Reserve League campaign this evening.

The Gunners had the game won by half-time courtesy of a three-goal blitz just before the interval.

Blues resisted their visitors better in the second period when Arsenal added just one more goal to their night's tally.

The Blues side included five senior players - Colin Doyle, Keith Fahey, James O'Shea, Kevin Phillips and Gary McSheffrey - while the visitors' team boasted seven players with first team experience, albeit a limited number of games.

Fahey was back in action having missed Saturday's Premier League match following the sad death of his father and for the others it was an opportunity to press their claims for a first team place.

There were competitive reserve league debuts for Academy scholars Jamie Dunphy and Will Packwood while it was a big night for 15-year-old schoolboy Mitch Hancox, who started at left back.

Long-time Blues loan target Armand Traore was in the visitors starting line-up.

McSheffrey remained a Blues player as the transfer window shut earlier today and the winger was first to try his luck at goal with a 30-yard free-kick that floated a couple of yards over the bar.

Phillips attempted an audacious chip that didn't quite have the power to beat Vito Mannone during an impressive start from the hosts, but that was as good as it got.

Mark Randall missed a golden chance to open the scoring for the visitors on 16 minutes when he ghosted in at the far post to meet Fran Merida's cross but the Arsenal midfielder volleyed over from ten yards.

Merida was the architect for another good opportunity moments later when he dinked a delightful ball through to Craig Eastmond but the number seven's shot veered away past the far post.

As the half drew on Blues were struggling to contain the fast-flowing passing and movement from the young Gunners, who if anything were guilty of overplay at times.

It was no surprise when the London club broke the deadlock on 33 minutes and it was the impressive Merida again who played a key role as his through ball released Sanchez Watt and the Arsenal striker despatched his shot low and hard under Doyle.

It took the visitors just five minutes to increase their lead when Traore forged into the penalty area and cut the ball back for Eastwood to side-foot home past Doyle

The game was over as a contest on 41 minutes when a perfectly waited through ball from Francis Coquelin set Giles Sunu clear and he finished clinically with the help of a post.

Blues had a chance to reduce the deficit in the final seconds of the first half when Phillips laid off Jake Jervis's cross into the path of Ashley Sammons but the midfielder shot over.

Both teams made a change at the start of the second half with Belgian U17 international Brice Ntambwe coming on for his reserve team debut in place of Jervis while Arsenal brought on James Shea in goal, with Vito Mannone making way.

Arsenal scored their fourth goal of the evening on 51 minutes when Kyle Bartley's cross found Watt unmarked at the far post and the striker had the easy job of heading in his second of the evening.

Blues kept the visitors' chances down to a premium during the remainder of the half as Westley's charges stuck to their task.

Arsenal sub Luke Freeman fired a shot wide when well placed just moments after coming on while Blues made a second change with Jakub Hronec replacing Jamie Dunphy.

The Gunners were forced to play the final 15 minutes with ten men after Traore hobbled off with an injury - the visitors having used their full complement of three subs.

Blues' only second half chance came late on when Hancox's cross found Ntambwe and the sub headed just over the crossbar.

Young Hancox could feel satisfied by his performance with the teenager showing up well and proving that he was certainly not afraid to put in a tackle, but there were few other positives on a tough night.

Blues: Colin Doyle, Jamie Dunphy (Jakub Hronec 67), Mitch Hancox, Keith Fahey, David Joyce, Will Packwood, James O'Shea, Ashley Sammons, Kevin Phillips, Gary McSheffrey, Jake Jervis (Brice Ntambwe 46).
Subs (not used): Nathan Redmond, Jack Butland, Josh Hawker.

Arsenal: Vito Mannone (James Shea 46), Kerrea Gilbert, Armand Traore, Mark Randall (Roarie Deacon 63), Kyle Bartley, Gavin Hoyte, Craig Eastwood, Sanchez Watt (Luke Freeman 70), Fran Merida, Giles Sunu.
Subs (not used): Cedric Evina, Ignasi Miquel.