Arsenal Targets Gibraltar Winger Scanlon for Youth Development
Arsenal’s recruitment push at youth level has zeroed in on a new name: 19-year-old winger Scanlon, with the club treating the Manchester United youngster as a serious target in their latest academy reset.
The Leicester-born wide man, who qualifies for Gibraltar through his mother, already has 24 senior international caps to his name – an unusually seasoned profile for a teenager. He spent the second half of last season on loan at League Two side Swindon, gaining regular senior minutes and sharpening the kind of competitive edge Arsenal believe can translate quickly into their development squads.
Personal terms are not expected to be a stumbling block. Scanlon is understood to be keen on a move to north London, and Arsenal are relaxed on that front. The real work lies between the clubs. Talks with United over a fee are ongoing, with the Gunners hopeful that negotiations can pick up pace over the next 72 hours.
This is not a scattergun move. Two figures inside Arsenal have been driving the pursuit.
Chris Perkins
Chris Perkins, who arrived at the club in 2023 as a professional development phase scout, has tracked Scanlon’s progress for years. During his six-year spell as head of academy recruitment at Derby, Perkins watched the winger come through the age groups and has remained a firm admirer of his talent and mentality.
David Horseman
Then comes David Horseman, whose influence on this deal is growing by the day. Appointed earlier this week as the new head coach of Arsenal’s Under-21s, Horseman has strongly recommended Scanlon to the club’s hierarchy. He joined Arsenal a year ago as elite player development coach, taking charge of the U19s in the UEFA Youth League and the U21s in the EFL Trophy, and is now stepping into a more prominent role in shaping the pathway.
Horseman’s endorsement is grounded in first-hand experience. Before moving to north London, he had a brief spell at United, where he worked directly with Scanlon and came away impressed by the winger’s potential. That familiarity has given Arsenal extra conviction that this is a player who fits both the technical and character profile they want running through the academy.
Arsenal are not stopping at one United prospect either. They are exploring the possibility of a double swoop, with right-back Habeeb Ogunneye also on their radar. The defender spent part of last season on loan at fourth-tier Newport before United recalled him in January, and he is viewed as another candidate who could strengthen the club’s defensive options in the development ranks.
Arsenal’s first team continues to chase major honours, but behind the scenes the club is clearly intent on rebuilding the pipeline. If they can prise both Scanlon and Ogunneye away from United, it would be a pointed statement about where they believe the next wave of talent will come from – and who they want shaping the club’s future.
