There was far more to be pleased about than a 0-4 scoreline might suggest for Mike Dove's Under-18s at the weekend as they took on Arsenal in the Premier Academy League.

Despite a comprehensive defeat at the hands of the Gunners, the young Dons applied themselves with quality and character for long periods against their distinguished opponents in a performance that pleased Mike for a number of reasons.

"I love games against Academies like Arsenal," Mike said. "From a learning perspective and in terms of the facilities - I'd play games like that every week.

"We knew we would have to work smart, that Arsenal would have clever movement and that technically they'd be very good, but these are the sort of challenges we like our players to come up against.

"We had to work very hard to cope with their movement at times - their midfielders interchanged very freely both in a diamond and moving out wide - but at times we kept the ball extremely well and we had our chances too."

Following a number of excellent saves from Dons 'keeper Ashley Harrison in the opening stages, Arsenal made a double breakthrough halfway through the first period through two goals in two minutes from Benik Afobe.

Mike said facing Arsenal was the kind of challenge he'd like his team to face every week.

It was an attacking spell that had the Dons reeling a little, but once Mike's team recovered their composure they created some chances of their own - leading scorer Charlie Collins going closest with a 30-yard shot against the post.

Showing much better quality in possession, the visitors continued to prize openings after the break as Martel Powell and George Baldock both had sights of goal.

But a rare mistake from first-year defender Harry Milton allowed Chuks Aneke to increase Arsenal's advantage shortly before the hour-mark.

Substitute Josh Rees added some gloss to the final score with a late fourth, but Mike was happy to look on the bright side of the afternoon's display.

He said: "I spoke to Tom Flanagan afterwards and he said this was the kind of standard all the boys wanted to measure themselves against.

"Arsenal had a very continental feel about them, they were a very good side and, with the facilities and resources at their disposal, you'd expect them to be.

"But we kept trying to play football against them and, when we put it together, we showed that we're a capable side. Hopefully it's a game and an experience they'll learn from."

Dons (4-3-3): Harrison; Williams, Flanagan (c), Milton, Chicksen; G. Baldock, King, Lee; Collins, M. Powell, McGovern (Ahmed 69).

Subs not used: Bragg, Coronado, Ivey-Ward, S. Powell.