Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta promoted teenage fullback of Nigerian descent Josh Nichols to first-team training ahead of Wednesday's Champions League matchday six fixture against Club Brugge.

An image from Sky Sports, shared by Jeorge Bird, shows the 19-year-old taking part in Tuesday’s session at London Colney.

Nichols is eligible for Champions League selection via List B, but he 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.

A product of the Hale End Academy, he made his senior debut as a starter in the Carabao Cup victory over Bolton Wanderers in September 2024.

Arsenal travel to Bruges amid a defensive injury crisis, with centre-backs Christian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães ruled out and William Saliba rated doubtful.

Primarily a right-back, Netherlands international Jurriën Timber filled in at centre-back during last Saturday’s defeat to Aston Villa.

This season, Nichols has made eleven appearances across all competitions for Arsenal’s youth teams, including outings against the first team of Exeter City and Newport County in the EFL Trophy.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel