Loan move could be the best next step for Arsenal’s Josh Nichols

As Arsenal took on AC Milan yesterday in their first pre-season friendly much of the focus, understandably, was on the impact made by two 15-year-olds in Max Dowman and Marli Salmon.

It shouldn’t be overlooked, however, that Josh Nichols also gave a good account of himself after entering the fray at right-back.

Nichols turns 19 on Saturday, which is typically an age where decisions tend to be made about the long-term futures of academy prospects.

Given that he signed his first professional contract last summer it is anticipated that his current deal will run out next year.

Nichols made an impact for the first-team in pre-season last year and subsequently went on to make his competitive debut against Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup.

In addition he continued to produce some impressive displays at youth level but not everything went to plan as a lack of options meant that Nichols often had to fill in at left-back as opposed to his favoured right-back berth, while an injury saw him sidelined for a significant part of the season.

Now, though, Nichols is back in action and is determined to make an impact.

Much is often made of his lack of height but that didn’t seem to be a problem against senior opponents yesterday, while he also seems much stronger physically than previously.

Nichols also controls the ball with the calmness that you would expect from a Hale End product and he is capable of making significant contributions both defensively and in terms of helping to initiate attacks.

With Jurrien Timber not yet fit and Ben White the only senior right-back currently in the tour squad, Nichols will be hoping to get further chances to impress in friendlies against Newcastle United and Tottenham.

Whether he will remain with the squad beyond that is still uncertain but Nichols certainly seems ready for a loan move, perhaps to a League One club.

That would most probably require a contract extension but in any case it seems likely that a decision will be made on his future soon.