Although fielding five players with first-team experience, there was a rookie defence on show, with 15-year-old Mitch Hancox at left-back.

Blues made an encouraging start, with Gary McSheffrey lofting a free-kick from distance too high.

But then Arsenal, who had Armand Traore at left-back, got into their stride.

In the 33rd minute Sanchez Watt shot low past Colin Doyle and five minutes later Traore roared to the byline to pull back for Craig Eastmond.

Three minutes before the break Gilles Sunu strode through down the left and fired in a shot.

In first-half stoppage time Kevin Phillips laid the ball into Ashley Sammons’ path but he hurried his shot high.

Blues were further adrift when Watt connected with a header from a lovely cross by Sunu.

Keith Fahey waltzed his way through several challenges but was denied a goal as he lost control and was blocked at the last moment. Blues wasted a great late chance when sub Brice Ntambwe headed over from 12 yards.

BLUES: Doyle, Dunphy (Hronec, 67), Hancox, Fahey, Joyce, Packwood, O’Shea, Sammons, Phillips, Jervis (Ntambwe, ht), McSheffrey. Not used: Redmond, Hawker, Butland.