Wenger throws down gauntlet for Reyes

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has thrown down the gauntlet to Spaniard José Antonio Reyes after confirming he would be replacing injured marksman Thierry Henry for the FA Cup semi-final against Blackburn Rovers at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

"Reyes will play tomorrow," said the manager after confirming Henry's absence through injury. "I feel it is a good opportunity for him to show how good he is."

Reyes has endured a tough first full campaign at Highbury. The young forward set the pace in the scoring charts early on in the campaign with 6 goals in his first six matches but the goals have since dried up. Rumours that he had not settled into life in London have not helped his case.

In fact he had become the victim of a radio hoaxer who claimed to be Emilio Butragueno, Real Madrid's Sporting Director.

Wenger feels that a strong finish to the season could boost the youngster's confidence and propel him to fulfil his undoubted potential.

"It could help to convince him, yes. He slowly gets there. It takes you time to adapt to the intense game of England but I am convinced once you move out of that you miss it," Wenger said.

"That is the vibe I get from all the players who leave England. I remember when (Emmanuel) Petit and (Marc) Overmars left. When I spoke to them three or fours years later they said they missed the intense, passionate games you get in England every week.

"To me, José seems happy when he's with the squad but I don't know how happy he is off the pitch, frankly. When he is in here he always looks a happy boy. We never have a problem with him and I think he will do well."

Wenger admits that José has still not adapted to the physical side of the English and intense over-physical attention by defenders had hindered his season.

"I feel Reyes was a target at some stage in England and he suffered from that...it took him some time to get over it.

"It looked to me for a while that the word had gone through England that you had to kick Arsenal and Reyes was one of the players who could make a difference."

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