It was a tough defeat for our young Blues away at Arsenal on a cold Saturday morning in north London. There was only one change to the side which drew at home to Brighton last week and that came in the shape of Malik Mothersille who led the line ahead of Louis Flower.

There was little to report on in the opening moments of the game as neither side created any clear-cut openings. Both battled hard to gain some sort of supremacy in the game.

New signing Travis Akomeah seems to have settled well following his move from Watford as he could be seen marshalling the defence alongside his peers.

In the Gunners’ first real sustained period of pressure they broke the deadlock. An Elian Quesada-Thorn cross landed on the head of captain Khayon Edwards and his attempt was too quick for Prince Adegoke to stop, giving his side the lead.

A fast counter-attack from the hosts allowed them to double their lead through Charles Sagoe-Junior; finishing calmly despite pressure from the onrushing Adegoke.

It was a shame that before half-time we were not able to pull a goal back. Luke Badley-Morgan bravely went up for a header which was put over the bar. Tudor Mendel-Idowu was threatening; winning free-kicks in and around the penalty box but we failed to convert from any. As well as that, Mothersille was making himself known with neat touches to his team-mates. Despite our best efforts, we struggled to create anything clear.

The second half followed a similar pattern, no clear side in the ascendancy but as with the first, Arsenal were just more clinical on the day.

A third goal was secured after a scramble in the box which landed at the feet of Bradley Ibrahim whose first-time effort was drilled into the net.

It went from bad to worse as Amario Cozier-Duberry caught everyone by surprise by taking a free-kick quickly, placing the ball beyond Adegoke.

A tough defeat which halts our unbeaten run and means our Under-18 side are still awaiting their first win this year in this competition.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Prince Adegoke; Derrick Abu (Edwin Andersson 59), Richard Olise, Travis Akomeah, Luke Badley-Morgan; Billy Gee, Sam Rak-Sakyi; Zain Silcott-Duberry (Somto Boniface 59), Leo Castledine (c) (Ronnie Stutter), Tudor Mendel-Idowu; Malik Mothersille.Unused Subs Ted Curd, Louis Flower.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Remy Mitchell; Josh Robinson (Luigi Gasper 74), Tino Quamina, Mauro Bandeira, Amario Cozier-Duberry; Bradley Ibrahim, Khayon Edwards; James Sweet, Charles Sagoe-Junior, Elian Quesada-Thorn (Lino Sousa 61); Billy Vigar (Mathaeus Roberts 81).Unused Subs Alex Kovacecic, Jimi Gower.Scorers Khayon Edwards 21; Charles Sagoe Junior 32; Bradley Ibrahim 75; Amario Cozier Dubeerry 80.