Arsenal 3 Birmingham 1
Birmingham could not claw back Arsenal's early onslaught as the Carson Yeung era started in defeat at the Emirates.
Published
The new Blues owner watched as the team went 2-0 down in 18 minutes, Robin van Persie's low drive added to by Abou Diaby's rocket two minutes later.
But Alex McLeish's side got themselves back in it through Lee Bowyer, the midfielder smashing the ball home after goalkeeper Vito Mannone had made a right mess of a cross.
But Blues could not hold on or find the equaliser, with Arsenal putting the result beyond doubt with Andrei Arshavin's curler with six minutes to go.
