Arsenal have completed the signings of James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye from Manchester United, as the Gunners intensify efforts to strengthen their academy and create a pathway for young players into the first team.
Scanlon, who turns 20 next month, joined Arsenal on Saturday, while 20-year-old defender Ogunneye was announced as a new signing the following day.
Neither player made a senior appearance for Manchester United, but both gained first-team experience in League Two during loan spells last season.
Scanlon, an England-born winger who represents Gibraltar internationally, said Arsenal’s recent progress influenced his decision to move to north London.
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“I think you can see where the club’s at, it’s really positive and I think it’s only going to get better.”
He added, “Everyone here is hungrier for more, hungrier to get better and I think that’s something I believe I can add to and want to be a part of as well.”
Scanlon can operate on the left wing or as a number 10 and has already earned 24 international caps for Gibraltar.
Ogunneye, a right-back who spent last season on loan at Newport County, said Arsenal’s record of promoting academy players convinced him to make the switch.
“When I heard Arsenal were interested in me, I said to my agents it’s a no-brainer.”
He added, “Seeing all the young players that are coming through as well, I just wanted to come straight away. I just wanted to be part of that group, and win games together.”
Arsenal have increasingly relied on young players from their Hale End academy, with Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman among those to have progressed towards the senior squad.
The moves also represent a reversal of the direction taken by Ayden Heaven, who left Arsenal for Manchester United in January 2025 in search of a clearer route into first-team football.
The recruitment of Scanlon and Ogunneye forms part of Arsenal’s wider strategy of bringing in young talent with ambitions of eventually breaking into the senior team.
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