Teenage fullback of Nigerian descent, Josh Nichols, has trained with Arsenal’s first team ahead of their UEFA Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium.
Nichols was spotted in Monday’s session at the Sobha Realty Training Centre in London Colney as Mikel Arteta’s men finalized preparations for the crucial group-stage encounter.
His inclusion in the session comes amid injury concerns for several senior players, including Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and captain Martin Odegaard, a situation that could boost the 19-year-old’s chances of making the matchday squad.
Nichols, who made his senior debut in a League Cup fixture against Bolton Wanderers in September 2024, was handed five call-ups to the first team last season.
The highly rated right-back is among nine players of Nigerian descent listed in Arsenal’s Champions League B list, alongside Khari Ranson, Cam’ron Ismail, Joshua Ogunnaike, Samuel Onyekachukwu, Ethan Nwaneri, Andre Harriman-Annous, Ife Ibrahim and Daniel Oyetunde.
If he features against Atletico Madrid, Nichols will wear the number 48 jersey.
Born in Newham, the defender is eligible to represent Nigeria through his mother, as well as England and Jamaica. Having joined Arsenal at under-nine level, he signed his first professional contract with the Gunners in July 2024.
