Who is James Scanlon? Arsenal academy star eyes debut after Mikel Arteta show of faith

James Scanlon has pushed himself into Mikel Arteta’s thinking ahead of Arsenal’s trip to face Ipswich in the Carabao Cup tonight.The 19-year-old signed from Manchester United over the summer, with the Gunners targeting Scanlon as part of their recruitment drive at academy level.Standard Sport understands that the winger joined Arsenal on a free transfer, with a 40% sell-on clause included in the deal.Scanlon has scored twice in two appearances for the Arsenal U21s and this week trained with the first-team as part of the preparations for taking on Ipswich.James ScanlonGettyWho is James Scanlon?Scanlon is a winger who has been capped 24 times at senior international level by Gibraltar, who he qualifies to represent through his mother.At 17 years and 346 days, he became the UEFA Nations League’s youngest goalscorer when netting in a 2-2 draw with Liechtenstein in September 2024.The Leicester-born teenager is a winger comfortable operating on either flank but can also play as an attacking midfielder.A product of the Derby academy, Scanlon joined Man United in February 2021, initially starting out in their academy before breaking into the U18’s side within a year.The 2023-24 season was a big one for Scanlon as he featured in the UEFA Youth League, made appearances for the U21’s, was called up to first-team training by Erik ten Hag before signing his first professional contract in May 2024.Despite being named in a senior Man United matchday squad for the first time against Real Sociedad in an Europa League tie in March 2025, Scanlon did not make a first-team appearance for the Red Devils.He spent the second half of last season with Swindon Town, rejecting interest from clubs across Europe, scoring once in six appearances as the Robins finished ninth in League Two, missing out on the play-offs by a point.Will he play against Ipswich?Scanlon has made a flying start to life at Arsenal.In his first match against Brighton for the U21s, he cut inside off the left wing and curled a low finish into the far corner.Read MoreHe backed that up by scoring against Chelsea last weekend as well, making it two goals in as many appearances.Arsenal’s U21s are in action against Leyton Orient in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night, but Scanlon has been training with the first team this week.It remains to be seen whether that means Arteta includes him in the matchday squad to face Ipswich.Max Dowman and Marli Salmon are both expected to be named in that squad and Arteta has enough options that he does not need to fill the bench with academy stars.However, if Arteta does opt to give his big names the night off and leave them at home, Scanlon could be one of those to benefit.