Tierney, Tomiyasu sidelined: Arteta promotes 18yo Nichols to Arsenal first team training pre-Preston

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta promoted Josh Nichols to first team training on the eve of his side's Carabao Cup fourth round clash against Preston North End at Deepdale, allnigeriasoccer.com reports. 

The 18-year-old defender was spotted working out with the Gunners first team players at Sobha Realty Training Centre on Tuesday.

Given the busy fixture list, Arteta is likely to rotate his lineup, handing opportunities to the outstanding players in the academy, just as he did in the third round match against Bolton Wanderers.

Hale End Academy graduate Nichols had an impressive debut in the 5-1 rout of the Trotters, playing the full game at right back.

Apart from the Nigerian, Tommy Setford, Ismeal Kabia, Maldini Kacurri and Alexei Rojas were the other academy players that trained with the first teamers today.

Nichols was not on U21 duties on Monday, an indication that he is in contention to be named in the traveling squad to Preston North End.

Arsenal have issues in defence in terms of players available for selection, with Kieran Tierney, Riccardo Calafiori and Tomiyasu ruled out of the trip to Deepdale due to injuries. 

Gabriel and Jurrien Timber were substituted in the second half of the 2-2 draw with Liverpool, with the influential central defender leaving due to injury and the fullback due to fatigue.

Nichols has received three call-ups for first team games so far this season, against Bolton Wanderers, Leicester City and Liverpool.

Besides Bolton, he has featured in competitive matches for Arsenal U21s against three other Football League teams, namely Reading, Peterborough United and MK Dons.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: arsenal.com

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