Mikel Arteta calls up ex-Man Utd wonderkid to train with Arsenal's first team
Arsenal have been hard at work in training ahead of their game against Chelsea on Sunday.
The Gunners have had a great start to the new season, beating Manchester City in the Community Shield and then picking up comfortable wins over Coventry and Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Up next is a tough test against high-flying Chelsea, and Mikel Arteta has been putting his players through their paces at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Among the regular faces was a youngster who played for Manchester United not too long ago.
James Scanlon spotted in Arsenal first-team training
Arsenal signed James Scanlon from Manchester United this summer.
The 19-year-old spent over five years with the Old Trafford club, where he made a good enough name for himself to become a full international for his country, Gibraltar.
Scanlon recently made his Arsenal U21s debut against Brighton in Premier League 2. The youngster scored a lovely goal to open his account after just 24 minutes.
That must have caught Arteta’s eye this week, which is probably why he was called up to senior training.
As Arsenal prepared for their Premier League clash against Chelsea, the former Manchester United teenager was spotted training with the first team.
This is nothing new for Scanlon, who previously trained with Manchester United’s senior side on plenty of occasions.
The Gibraltar international should use opportunities like these to make his mark, as Arsenal are short of options on the left flank.
If he impresses Arteta enough in training, he could well get a first-team opportunity at some point this season.
Other Arsenal academy players spotted in first-team training
Scanlon was not the only young player called up by Arsenal for first-team training this week. There were a few others as well.
Midfielder Ife Ibrahim, who blew Arsenal fans away in pre-season, was also given an opportunity, as were Jaden Dixon, Theo Julienne and Josh Ogunnaike.
Jack Talbot, who missed the Arsenal U18s’ win over Southampton due to suspension, was always involved at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Andre Harriman-Annous and Remy Mitchell were also called up to senior training earlier this week.
