Mikel Arteta has promoted Josh Nichols, a player who is eligible to play for Nigeria, to the first team.
19-year-old Nichols trained with the first team ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League fixture against Club Brugge on Wednesday. He was part of Tuesday’s full training session.
He is eligible for selection through List B, but has not featured in a first team squad since November 2024 when he was an unused substitute in a Premier League match against West Ham United.
The Hale End Academy product made his senior debut in September 2024 when he played in the Carabao Cup victory over Bolton Wanderers.
The young fullback has been given the opportunity by Arteta due to the club’s injury concerns as Christian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhaes are ruled out while William Saliba is still doubtful.
Nichols has made 11 appearances across all competitions this season for Arsenal’s youth teams, including games against the first teams of Exeter City and Newport County in the EFL Trophy.
Nichols is eligible to represent Nigeria at Senior level through his mother as he was born to a Nigerian mother and a Jamaican father.
