WATFORD Academy had a torrid Saturday morning (15 September) as they were well beaten 7-1 by near neighbours Arsenal at London Colney.

The skilful Gunners produced a pulsating performance which left the 'Orns shell-shocked.

Arsenal played the type of football which has become their trademark under Arsene Wenger and the style has clearly filtered down throughout the club.

Watford clearly knew they were coming up against one of the top sides and changed their formation to try and deal with the movement from the Gunners. Liam Henderson played the lone striking role as the Hornets played five across the middle with Ross Jenkins sitting in front of the back four.

It took just four minutes for the visitors to take the lead and it was Jay Emmanuel-Thomas who fired a shot in past Jonathan North as the Golden Boys gave the midfielder too much space on the edge of the 18 yard box.

Dale Bennett's last ditch challenge stopped Rhys Murphy extending the Gunners' lead, but the striker found the net on 13 minutes when he cleverly avoided the offside trap, switched the ball and hit a shot that struck the post on its way in.

Henderson was working terrifically hard in attack for the Hornets but was up against a calm and resolute backline for Arsenal. He latched on to a rare mistake from the Gunners in the 16 minute, but blasted his chance wide of the mark. The striker made amends five minutes later as he put the ball into an empty net after Wojciech Szczesny spilled the ball following a strong run and cross field ball from Bennett.

Lone striker Liam Henderson had to work hard against the Gunners

However it was only a minute before Arsenal continued their attacks and restored their two goal lead. This time Sanchez Watt finished the move after the Gunners broke quickly down the Hornets' left.

One more was added before half time with Jack Wilshere drilling a shot into the net for his first of three goals. Richard Owusu came on to replace Robert Kiernan on 35 minutes.

The second half continued in a similar vein but the continuity of the Arsenal performance was disrupted slightly by the three changes they made with half an hour remaining.

Attacking wise for the 'Orns their best chances were coming courtesy of long throw ins from Kieron Forbes. The midfielder has a fierce throw and set up headers for Bennett and substitute Loren Maxwell.

Wilshere grabbed his second for the Gunners four minutes into the half before Steve Bould's side added a sixth with 75 minutes on the clock. Sanchez Watt showed off his ball skills and got to the by-line to cross back in for Wilshere to turn on a sixpence and smash the ball first time past an outstretched North.

Watford centre half Aaron Beech lashed an effort wide from eight yards out after making his way up field for a set piece. Then Forbes saw his header tipped over the bar by the keeper for a corner following excellent work down the wing from Matthew Whichelow.

With five minutes remaining, Arsenal completed the rout and scored the goal of the day from left back Cedric Evina, who at a glance could be mistaken for former full back Ashley Cole. The defender found himself inside the Golden Boys' half and when the ball dropped at his feet struck a sweet shot which flew past North from all of 30 yards.

It was a harsh lesson for the young Hornets but the Gunners made their added experience tell and they turned in a five star performance that will leave the young guns at Vicarage Road with plenty of work to do this week.

The under 18s are next in action on Saturday 22 September away at Norwich City.

WATFORD (4-5-1): North; Hodson, Lavers, Beech, Bennett (c); Jenkins, Whichelow, Kiernan (Owusu 35), Forbes, Sordell (Maxwell 72); Henderson. Subs not used: Brown, Antal (gk)

Scorers: Henderson (21)

ARSENAL (4-4-2): Szczesny; Eastmond, Evina, Ayling, Hoyte (c) (Cruise 61); Frimpeng, Lansbury, Emmanuel-Thomas (Henderson 61), Wilshere; Murphy (Ahmed 61), Watt.

Scorers: Thomas (4), Murphy (13), Watt (22), Wilshere (35, 49, 75), Evina (85)