Mike Dove's under-18 side were beaten comfortably by Arsenal at Woughton on the Green on Saturday.

A double strike from Gunners striker Rhys Murphy plus a goal each for Fran Merida and Nacer Barazite saw Steve Bould's side to victory against a young Dons side that fielded three under-16s and had three under-15s on the bench.

After a bright, balanced start to the game, Arsenal took the lead on seven minutes when the Dons were caught out of shape and a cross from the right was converted first time by Murphy.

Despite Adam Moriarty firing just wide and Liam Kelly's long throw almost being converted by Stephane Koffi, the Dons fell further behind when Merida doubled the lead direct from a free-kick 20 yards from goal.

The Gunners, whose midfield included Milton Keynes teenager Mark Randall, effectively ended the game six minutes before half time when the Dons attack failed to apply any pressure to the Arsenal back line, allowing them to quickly turn defence into attack and help Murphy make it three.

Mike Dove said: "At half time I reminded them about pressing them quicker as a unit and everybody knowing who their man was . The boy Randall kept picking the ball up deep and causing problems so we spoke to Dan Delderfield about putting him under a bit more pressure.

"They were a very quick team with excellent technique and good movement. In spells we had played some great stuff, some of the best I have seen from us this season but everything was breaking down in the final third.

Moriarty struck a free kick straight at the goalkeeper and Shuter saw one fly just wide before Barazite made it four on the hour mark.

While the Dons searched for some sort of consolation, there was no goal in the offing and they ended the game empty handed.

Mike added: "I asked each of them to look at their opponent to give them an idea of how they are getting on.  They needed to work out what they did well and what mistakes they made.

"Some of the under-15s involved have been amazed at the little time you get on the ball so you have to be right on your game.

"Arsenal are a high-class team with a lot of ability. We're not going to win the league this season so it allows us to take an early look at some of the schoolboys and start preparing for next season."

Meanwhile, defender James Nash, one of the five scholars told they would not be offered a contract in the summer, is currently on trial at Cardiff City. The Bluebirds took a first look at Nashy when they visited Woughton a couple of weeks ago and he has been invited down to Wales to train with the club this week.

Dons: Flood, Kelly, Kent, Thorne (Williams 45), Collins, King, Shuter, Moriarty, Koffi, Delderfield (Banton 85), Powell (Farden 77).
Subs not used: Walker, Flanagan.