Blues were totally out-gunned 4-0 by Arsenal today, after goals from Thierry Henry (2), Robert Pires and Lauren gave the Premiership leaders all three points.

Another sell-out crowd filled St Andrews to witness this high profile clash with the current champions which finally got underway after floodlight problems delayed the kick off.

Today's game saw Steve Bruce make six changes to the side by giving debuts to recent signings Christophe Dugarry, Jamie Clapham and Stephen Clemence along with the home debut of Ferdinand Coly.

The game was delayed by referee Mr Bennett when a number of the floodlights went out due to an electrical fault.

Both players and spectators attempted to keep warm on an icy afternoon with Robbie Savage grabbing his coat, before the teams were taken off at 4.14pm.

Full lighting was restored and the game kicked off 30 minutes later than scheduled.

Blues were almost caught cold though when Cole's through-ball found Bergkamp, who sprung the offside trap before crossing to Wiltord who volleyed wide.

A minute later Savage's cross was knocked on by Clapham to Dugarry who volleyed wide at the far post.

Arsenal almost inevitably took the lead in the sixth minute when Bergkamp's threaded pass found Henry who burst past the Blues defence before skating round Vaesen and placing the ball into an empty net.

Blues were at full stretch once again, this time from Henry's corner which was flicked onto Edu who hit a fierce volley which Vaesen palmed away.

Moments later Pires set up again Henry but he hit the side netting with his shot.

Ferdinand Coly picked up his first booking in a Blues shirt in the 21st minute for a blatant trip on Edu who managed a couple of extra rolls to ensure the booking.

Midway through the half Clapham tested former Blues favourite David Seaman with a long-range effort which he saved comfortably.

Blues went close to grabbing an equaliser following Dugarry's header at goal, and both Clemence and Savage attempted to get a shot in but were blocked by a wall of red shirts.

In the 29th minute it was 2-0 when Michael Johnson who headed the ball into the path of Robert Pires who hit an unstoppable shot past Vaesen.

Dugarry was showing flashes of brilliance which will surely endure him to the Blues faithful before he was fouled by Lauren who got a deserved booking.

There were appeals for a penalty at either end for challenges on Wiltord and Clapham but the referee waved play on for both.

In the final minute of the half Clapham's free kick was headed down towards the far post but Seaman dived to his right and saved at the second attempt.

Blues started the second half positively forcing a couple of corners, but were always open to Arsenal's swift attacking play.

Clapham's free kick caught the Gunners defence at sorts, but the play finished with Stern John's attempt at goal being cleared.

Blues' star man Dugarry was once again fouled, this time by Martin Keown in the 59th minute, earning the Arsenal man a booking.

It was game over though in the 67th minute when Bergkamp's cross was met by Lauren who finished with a looping header over Vaesen.

Steve Bruce immediately made a couple of changes bringing on Martin Grainger and Paul Devlin on for Coly and Clemence respectively.

Thierry grabbed his second and Arsenal's fourth in the 70th minute when Sylvan Wiltord laid the ball off for the French striker who coolly finished by slotting the ball under Vaesen.

Later in the game Edu was replaced by Van Bronckhurst.

Michael Johnson then almost headed the ball in off Vaesen from Henry's cross.

Dennis Bergkamp was replaced by Francis Jeffers and two minutes later livewire Pires was replaced by in their final substitution by Kolo Toure.

Stern John summed up a miserable afternoon for the Blues when he totally mis-controlled a knock-down from Dugarry.

Thierry Henry was inches away from a hat trick with a fine curling effort which was wide of Vaesen's post.

In the 85th minute the Blues' man-of-the-match Christophe Dugarry received a standing ovation when he was substituted by Jovan Kirovski.

A minute later a fine run by the US international set up Stern John who curled the ball over from 20 yards.

Despite their efforts Blues just could not match the world class opposition they were up against today.

It's now time for them to get to know each other before next week's game.

Report by John Shaw.
Photography by Roy Smiljanic