Yennaris rises from mascot to midfielder

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Nico Yennaris’ development shows “dreams do come true” as the former Gunners mascot prepares to line up against Coventry in the Capital One Cup tonight.

The 19-year-old midfielder will be part of a mixed Arsenal squad for the visit of the npower League One side. The Sky Blues have fallen on hard times in recent seasons, but were established members of the top flight when Yennaris was a proud mascot aged seven for a game at Highbury in September 2000.

The youngster, whose father is a Greek Cypriot and mother Chinese, came through the Arsenal Academy and signed professional terms in July 2010, making his senior debut in the League Cup against Bolton last October before spending a brief loan spell with Notts County.