CHERRIES’ development squad were well-beaten 4-0 by Arsenal’s under-23s in the Premier League Cup, at Boreham Wood’s Meadow Park on Tuesday.

A double by Mexican international Marcelo Flores, as well as strikes from Jack Henry-Francis and Amario Cozier-Duberry, condemned the Cherries to defeat.

Shaun Cooper named a strong and experienced development XI, with Jake Scrimshaw having returned from his loan at League Two Scunthorpe United and joining Christian Saydee and Tarik Gidaree in a front three.

Luke Nippard, who yesterday extended his loan at Eastbourne Borough until the end of the season, started in midfield alongside Jack Wadham and Aaron Roberts.

Meanwhile, Zeno Ibsen Rossi continued at centre-back to partner captain Brennan Camp, with Brooklyn Genesini and Ben Greenwood operating as wing-backs, Will Dennis in goal.

However, Arsenal immediately made quality show with a Flores opener inside the first two minutes.

There could have been an instant reply with Saydee setting up Scrimshaw for an acrobatic effort, but any attempt to force an opening was nullified.

Cherries’ shot-stopper could not prevent Arsenal’s second goal in the 32nd minute, palming Swanson’s low cross into the path of Henry-Francis, who finished from close range.

Substitute Cozier-Duberry ghosted into the middle undetected to tuck home the third, before his dummy set up Flores for the fourth with 10 minutes still to play.

The result leaves Cherries third in Group A with four points from four matches played, with two matches against bottom-placed Southampton remaining.