Arsenal's Mikel Arteta plays in Under-21s match after recovering from calf injury

Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta has edged closer to being available for the first team after playing 45 minutes of an Under-21s match on Tuesday.

The Spanish midfielder has been out of action since picking up a calf injury in the Gunners' 2-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion in November.

Today, Arteta played in the first half of a 3-2 win for Arsenal's Under-21s against Blackburn Rovers.

.@m8arteta plays 45 minutes and Reine-Adelaide scores twice as @Arsenal U-21s beat Blackburn https://t.co/x83O4EAgAH pic.twitter.com/NZWVQNO5n7

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 5, 2016

The midfielder is working towards full fitness ahead of Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie against Sunderland at the Emirates.