Arsenal 19yo with 24 senior caps called up again

Gibraltar have officially confirmed their squad list for the upcoming September-October international break, with Arsenal summer signing James Scanlon included in their squad.

Scanlon joined from Manchester United in late August, and he’s made a positive start to life with the Gunners.

With two goals in four games and a strong performance against Leyton Orient’s senior side last week, Scanlon looks to be a good addition to the Gunners’ u21 team. But internationally, he’s already an experienced senior player.

Despite being just 19, Scanlon has already racked up 24 international appearances for the Gibraltar first-team, scoring five goals and assisting one.

The teenage winger is in strong form internationally, having scored three of those goals in his last two appearances. He’ll now get the chance to keep that momentum going over the break.

Gibraltar have two friendly matches and two Nations League fixtures over the next fortnight, beginning with a friendly at home to Sao Tome and Principe on September 23rd.

The Nations League matches are sandwiched in the middle, with Gibraltar playing Andorra at home on September 27th, and Malta away on October 1st. They’ll then wrap things up with another friendly away to Liechtenstein on October 5th.

Arsenal have seen quite a few players playing for their senior national teams before getting any serious involvement with the first team in recent years.

Notable examples include Dan Ballard with Northern Ireland, Karl Hein with Estonia, and current youth forward Ceadach O’Neill, who has been called up for the last two breaks with Northern Ireland.

Scanlon’s aim will be to help Gibraltar to achieve Nations League promotion, potentially setting up some matches against big-name opponents in the next cycle.