Theo Walcott returned to action for Arsenal as he played 45 minutes of the under-21 team's 0-0 draw against Blackburn Rovers on Friday night.
Walcott has not played for the first team since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during an FA Cup match against Tottenham in January, but he made his return to full training on Monday.
He then took another step closer to full fitness when he played the first half at Meadow Park in a team that also included Abou Diaby, who played 67 minutes, and Serge Gnabry, who came off just before the hour mark.
"It's been a hard, long nine months and I have to say a huge thank you to the Arsenal medical team," he told Sky Sports News. "I've had so much support and it's nice to be out there. I just want to get back fit."
Asked if there were any twinges, he replied: "Not at all. I don't think about picking up little knocks -- I think about the game. That's what I did tonight, and I got through fine."
He said there was no prospect of a return to action with the first team this weekend but was unsure whether he would be in contention to play against Anderlecht in the Champions League on Wednesday.
He added: "It was a massive blow when it happened, but I am focused on the present now and I will take it day by day
"I need to be patient with myself. It is important to recover. I need to be patient. The manager will choose to play me when he wants -- it (the injury) needs to be managed as well."
So @theowalcott is back in action. Watch him arriving for tonight's game here... https://t.co/C64jQNJLhG
- Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) October 17, 2014
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has also expressed hope recently that striker Olivier Giroud could return to fitness earlier than expected.