18yo Nigerian who recently trained with Iwobi takes part in Arsenal final training session pre-Forest

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta promoted teenage Nigerian right-back Josh Nichols to first team training on Friday, the Gunners' final session before their crucial Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium in London, allnigeriasoccer.com reports. 

The 18-year-old was seen training with the first-team players at the Sobha Realty Training Centre on Friday, placing him in contention for inclusion in the matchday squad for the visit of Nottingham Forest.

Nichols has climbed the pecking order of fullbacks at Arsenal, with first teamers Kieran Tierney, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu ruled out of Saturday's game against Nottingham Forest due to fitness issues. 

White has undergone knee surgery, Tierney has not featured for Arsenal in the 2024-2025 season due to a hamstring injury he sustained at Euro 2024, while Tomiyasu is recovering from a knee injury.

Originally a striker, Hale End Academy graduate Nichols is now a dynamic fullback capable of playing on either side.

He made 31 appearances for the Arsenal youth teams last season, featuring in every group match of the UEFA Youth League.

This season, Nichols has received four call-ups for first team games, and impressed on his professional debut as Arsenal thrashed Bolton Wanderers 5-1 in the third round of the Carabao Cup back in September. 

Five days ago, Fulham star Alex Iwobi shared on his YouTube channel that he had a private training session with Josh Nichols, an upcoming graduate from the Arsenal academy.

The Super Eagles attacking midfielder labeled Nichols a talented player, who is from the area where he grew up. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: arsenal.com

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