Jacob Rowe scored Blues' goal this evening.

Blues Reserves came away from North London with nothing to show for their efforts as their Arsenal counterparts showed just why they are still in contention for the title this evening.

The second-placed Gunners always had the edge on Malky Thomson's charges, and scored goals at important times, but there were still some impressive individual performances from the visitors.

Maik Taylor featured in goal, no doubt with an eye on getting him match-sharp for his upcoming first team recall against Manchester City.

There were run-outs for David Murphy, who took up an unorthodox central defensive position, Gregory Vignal and loanee Teemu Tainio.

Jordon Mutch and Dan Preston, the Academy pair currently out on loan themselves at Doncaster and Hereford respectively, also turned out for their parent club.

And Mutch showed up well displaying an excellent range of passing whilst Tainio was combative alongside him and Taylor pulled off a couple of excellent saves.

Jacob Rowe cancelled out Ignasi Miquel's opener but further goals from Oguzhan Ozyakup and Nacer Barazite won it for the Gunners.

The game started at a hectic pace but there were no chances of note during the opening quarter, bar off-target efforts from distance by Tainio and Arsenal's Luke Freeman.

Arsenal stepped up a gear as the half-hour approached, the impressive Barazite fired a fierce effort just over and Taylor tipped a deflected Rhys Murphy shot around the post.

From the resultant corner the hosts took the lead with Miquel glancing a header past Taylor on 24 minutes.

But Blues produced an instant response and were level less than 60 seconds later.

It was almost a carbon copy of the Arsenal goal as Mutch's inswinging corner was met by Rowe whose header took a deflection on its way into the net.

Barazite's shot was comfortably saved by Taylor while Robin Shroot tried his luck from distance as the teams traded punches.

Blues had battled well during the first 45 minutes but found themselves behind at the break when Ozyakup cut inside Murphy before curling a delightful shot with the outside of his foot beyond Taylor.

Thomson's side came back in determined mood and Shroot sent two early efforts off target.

But the Gunners extended their lead in explosive style as Baracite burst in from the left and sent an unstoppable shot into the far corner of Taylor's net.

The former Derby loanee had an easier chance to bag a second goal was he was put though on goal but Taylor came to the rescue to smother the shot.

And the Blues number one showed all his experience again moments later as he took the ball off the toes of Freeman.

Blues reacted well to going two behind and pressed their hosts in search of a way back into the encounter.

A golden opportunity fell at the feet of Shroot as he was sent clear by Luke Rowe, who had come on at half-time for the largely ineffective triallist Moses Barnett, but the striker was denied by a save down to his left by Vito Mannone.

Gunners sub Roarie Deacon missed a sitter late on when he somehow missed the target from only six yards out but a three-goal deficit would have been harsh on Blues.

Thomson's team compete well throughout and can be pleased with their night's work despite the negative end result.

ARSENAL: Vito Mannone, Nico Yennaris (Martin Angha 71), Cedric Evina, Craig Eastmond, Tom Cruise, Ignasi Miquel, Nacer Barazite, Oguzhan Ozyakup (Sam Byles 71), Rhys Murphy (Roarie Deacon 56), Conor Henderson, Luke Freeman.

BLUES: Maik Taylor, Dan Preston. Gregory Vignal, Teemu Tainio, David Murphy, Jacob Rowe, Robin Shroot, Jordon Mutch, Akwasi Asante, Ashley Sammons, Moses Barnett (Luke Rowe 46).