Mikel Arteta returned to match play with a 45-minute run-out for Arsenal's U21s on Tuesday.

The Gunners captain is on his way back from a recurring calf injury which struck him down again in November but there is light at the end of the tunnel after he managed to get through a half of the meeting with Blackburn Rovers at London Colney.

Arteta's return to full fitness will give Arsene Wenger's side a boost ahead of the second half of the season as the North Londoners look to maintain their position on top of the Premier League table and will look to do so with their skipper back in the squad.

Steve Gatting's team won 3-2 courtesy of a brace from Jeff Reine-Adelaide either side of a 58th Donyell Malen goal before Lewis Mansell scored twice for Rovers.