Abou Diaby enjoyed a fine start to the season © Getty Images Enlarge

Abou Diaby played more than an hour for Arsenal Under-21s as he continued his comeback from a thigh injury.

Diaby, 26, has not appeared for Arsenal since the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on September 29, but it is hoped he is close to a first team return after coming through the development game with no pain.

The Frenchman was substituted for Conor Henderson after 65 minutes during the 1-1 draw, news that will come as a boost to Arsene Wenger as he finalises his transfer plans for the January transfer window.

Diaby has made six appearances this term due to injury but had hoped to play a major role for the club after impressing during the opening fixtures of the campaign and earning a call-up to the France squad for the World Cup qualifying win against Finland, in which he scored.

Arsenal named a strong side for the game, including Carl Jenkinson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Andre Santos in the starting line-up alongside Emmanuel Frimpong, recently back from a loan spell with Charlton, who was sent off in the final minutes of the game for two yellow cards.

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