Nico Yennaris Signs New Contract

Arsenal have announced that promising English-Cypriot-Chinese midfielder/fullback Nico Yennaris has signed a new long-term contract extension. Yennaris, 19, has been heavily involved in Arsenal's pre-season, being part of the Markus Liebherr Cup winning side and making the trip to Asia. With Bacary Sagna hurt and Carl Jenkinson underperforming in Asia, Yennaris' solid play at the right back position has done his first team chances no harm.

Yennaris made his debut against Bolton last season at right back, and also played against Leeds in the position. During the Great Fullback Crisis, Yennaris made his Premier League debut, coming on for the injured Johan Djourou at halftime against Manchester United, and was excellent, keeping Nani quiet and giving Arsenal very good width.

What makes that even more impressive is that Yennaris is not a fullback by trade; like Francis Coquelin and Craig Eastmond, he's a defensive midfielder who can play at fullback. Players who are good in multiple positions are valuable commodities, and Yennaris looks to be one. He may never be a star, but he could be a solid piece of a good team, and it's good to see him sign a new contract keeping him at the club.

Whether he goes out on loan or not is down to the fitness of Sagna; I would expect him to do so at some point, perhaps after the Capital One Cup run.