Reece James is back in training with Chelsea after a hamstring injury, raising hopes that he could be available to face Arsenal next month.

Chelsea defender and captain Reece James has been on a constant injury roundabout since making his breakthrough into the senior game, and it’s significantly limited his opportunities to play against Arsenal.

That might change next month, with Chelsea reporting that James is back in training with their first team for the first time this season.

Though it’s likely to be a few weeks until James is ready to start matches again, that could put him right in contention to do so against Arsenal. Chelsea’s game against the Gunners is three-and-a-half weeks away.

Since making his debut for Chelsea in 2019, James has been absent for their league games against Arsenal as often as he’s been involved.

The defender missed the 2019/20 away game with an ankle problem, then missed the home game with a bruise.

He then played home and away for the next two seasons, before missing the home game in 2022/23 with a knee problem, and the away game with an ankle problem.

Though James technically featured in the home draw against Arsenal in 2023/24, he was only just back from injury and only fit to play the final six minutes. He then missed their 5-0 away defeat after surgery.

As a result, the last time James was fit to start a match against Arsenal was in April 2022, 30 months ago.

That game was a 4-2 win for Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, so if the 24-year-old is available again this time around, hopefully the result is similar.