The conundrum that is Reyes

Even the broadsheets are carrying today's sensationalist story. Another Arsenal star wants to leave for the capital of Spain and play for the biggest club in the world.

It never fails each summer. The endless speculation, the linking of a Gunners star with a move to Real Madrid. We had it with Anelka, we had it with Patrick Vieira, and this time it's José Antonio Reyes.

"Reyes: I want to quit Arsenal," the tabloids scream. The broadsheets go for a more subtle approach, though with the same sensationalist effect. "Reyes: I am not happy at Arsenal."

It is no secret that Reyes has yet to live up to his alleged £17 million price tag, and has yet to find a settled position in the team. Against Charlton last season, the responsibility to lead the Arsenal attack in the absence of Thierry Henry fell on his young shoulders.

He could have scored a hat-trick in the first 10 minutes of that match, but he was unlucky, we all thought. Poor finishing more like! On his stronger left foot. Make no mistake, he never gave up, and probably did more on the pitch than Henry usually does. But he wasn't as effective. Or certainly not as clinical.

It's because he looks unsettled that there will always be speculation of him leaving Arsenal and wanting to return to Spain. Is he really unhappy? He plays with a smile on his face all the time, and on the pitch doesn't look like he's letting his lack of goals bother his amazing work rate.

Perhaps it's the influx of forward players, or rather, the linking to of forward players that has led the press to believe that there is a story here that Reyes might leave for Madrid.

When Píres left, it was thought that Reyes would naturally make the wide left midfield position his own. No, Tomas Rosicky has come in and Arsène Wenger looks like he will be playing his new Czech signing in that position.

What about the Bergkamp role? If Henry is the king of the Emirates Stadium, Bergkamp was God and Reyes is the Prince. Can Reyes take on the pressures of playing as a provider for Henry and make the shadow striker role his? I thought Rosicky would play in that position but Wenger's statements and intentions during pre-season have put doubts in my mind.

I cannot confirm this as yet, but I have also heard reports that Reyes has still to link up with his teammates in Austria. Again, there could be a perfectly good reason as to why this is so, but the natural conclusion that will be made by many Arsenal fans is that he is afraid of incurring an injury that would jeopardise his chances of a move to the Bernabeu.

EDIT: Thanks everyone who replied with "evidence" that Reyes is with the squad in Austria.

As technically-gifted as any player of his generation, perhaps even more, Reyes' speed and control on the ball is amazing for someone still only 22-years-old.

It's clear to see that he has enormous potential to fulfil – whether that potential is fulfilled in the football arena of the Emirates Stadium is another matter.

I remember the look of delight and excitement on Wenger's face when he had known that Reyes was finally an Arsenal player. Wenger insisted that Reyes be driven to his home in Totteridge immediately so that he could meet him that very night.

Perhaps Aragones got something right, and that unless Henry is removed from the equation, we will never see Reyes become a 20-goal-a-season striker. Maybe this season Rosicky will be able to find Reyes easier than he can Henry, and Henry will create his own chances.

Maybe the smile on his face whenever he takes to the pitch is belying a little homesickness deep inside. Maybe he does crave for the glamour of Real Madrid, and the humidity of the Spanish weather. Maybe Reyes has never really been happy at Arsenal after all.

I hope he is happy, and that he stays to show us the explosive pace and ball control that made Arsène Wenger so adamant on purchasing him from Seville.

User Comments

liaogz

Posted on 2 Aug, 2006 at 04:09 AM - Reply

Not a good idea to get Robinho, as he is even more lightweight than Reyes. Don't worry, he will stay at Arsenal, I'm sure

r r

Posted on 31 Jul, 2006 at 03:29 PM - Reply

He's a huge talent as he showed at the start of the season before last, before he got kicked. Then he seemed to change his approach and concentrate more on protecting himself and bulking up; no bad thing in itself, but he has never shown that brilliance since. I think a move to Spain would suit him, and if we get Robinho in return it would suit us too.

Darren

Posted on 31 Jul, 2006 at 01:06 PM - Reply

I just want to say. I love the perspective and detail that the articles on this site have.

Fred H.

Posted on 30 Jul, 2006 at 10:26 PM - Reply

Theres no doubt that Reyes's workrate is superb, however wouldnt it would be great if we got a hefty amount of cash for him from Real, and bought a new world class player to fill his boots?

mike

Posted on 30 Jul, 2006 at 10:00 PM - Reply

I would also like to add that think reyes is a wonderfull talent and what he lacks in goals he certainly makes for in assists and work rate

Bubz

Posted on 30 Jul, 2006 at 04:22 PM - Reply

Sky Sports has just revealed that Reyes does not want to leave Arsenal and wants to help the team win honours at the new stadium

Slippery When Wet

Posted on 30 Jul, 2006 at 03:56 PM - Reply

re 'I cannot confirm this as yet, but I have also heard reports that Reyes has still to link up with his teammates in Austria' - I am not sure of this as there is a picture of Reyes reaching out to trap a ball on the www.arsenal.com website listed pictures from the training camp in Austria.

He would not be the first talented player to struggle to cope with a new country - he comes from Seville one of the hottest parts of Spain (even Madrid is cold and gloomy for him), and he reportedly came from a dirt poor background with little education.

Look at the long list of English players that failed to adapt abroad because they couldn't learn the language (the En press did not call them thick - even though they undoutedly were) or couldn't stomach foreign garlic dosed food.

When I heard he had given up learning English - I knew his time was counted. The success of Vieira, Henry, et al is mostly due to the ability to integrate and learn English.

British players who went abroad and made an effort to learn the language like Joe Jordan, Garry Lineker and Mark Hateley did well. Thick English players like Gascoigne who returned barely able to order a beer and a pizza did not.

Will be sad to see him go. The enigma, the great 'could have been'. Just sad that those cnuts at Real Madrid will profit from his talent - they will try and rip us off again as they always do!

Ragamuffin

Posted on 30 Jul, 2006 at 03:18 PM - Reply

He's played some incredible games and has had some good spells. However, there have been lots of games in which he was invisible. He's never been as consistent as Pires was in his best years. I won't be happy if he leaves, but he's not the player we'll miss the most.

And if he stays he should really stop the diving, cause that's really annoying me.

Oscar

Posted on 30 Jul, 2006 at 03:01 PM - Reply

You can't defend Reyes anymore. He is one of the most frustrating players at Arsenal - brilliant one moment and then useless for the rest of the match. He doesn't want to be at Arsenal and his potential will never be realised if the player is unhappy. And that constant smiling especially when he loses the ball for the umpteenth time really winds me up. Another player to leave Arsenal. Our squad is paper thin as it is. I just hope Arsene actually buys some players. Can anyone see us even attempting to touch Chelsea this season?

Thom

Posted on 30 Jul, 2006 at 03:00 PM - Reply

Reyes won't be sold at this stage of the close season. He's under long-term contract (and do Real actually want him, even if he fancies going there?). This same story is recycled by relentless bullshitters Marca every six months like clockwork. So Jose probably doesn't enjoy living in London that much, and he's obviously easily prompted to say so every now and then. This doesn't make him a malicious, shit-stirring troublemaker like ... ooh, Ashley Cole say. He'll stay...

Johan

Posted on 30 Jul, 2006 at 02:47 PM - Reply

Reyes is in Austria, just look at the pictures on the official site.

H Harrison

Posted on 30 Jul, 2006 at 02:29 PM - Reply

To Clarify, Reyes is definitely in Austria, seen him in Training footage on AVTO.

As I read somewhere else, when Henry signed on again, I felt that was the end of Reyes. He is a very talented footballer that we still haven't seen the best on a consistent basis, with Henry is it possible? they just don't seem to get on. If he does go we need to replace him with a proven player, I hope he stays, give him one more season to prove himself, his workrate is amazing but his shootin erratic. Big seasons for Reyes, VP and JAA, who will suceed?

thekenyangooner

Posted on 30 Jul, 2006 at 02:16 PM - Reply

Good thoughts but Aragones is a hypocrite. He couldn't find a place for Reyes on his squad yet he rates him higher than Henry! How convenient

liaogz

Posted on 30 Jul, 2006 at 02:00 PM - Reply

Trust me, reyes is not going anywhere

Romford Pele

Posted on 30 Jul, 2006 at 01:32 PM - Reply

I think he is at the training camp - I've seen pictures of him on the Arsenal website!

I don't want him to go, but if he's unhappy he's not going to play to his best unfortunately.

Mike

Posted on 30 Jul, 2006 at 01:27 PM - Reply

I'm open to correction but I thought I saw JAR in the photos of the team training in Austria on the Arsenal site?

There was a picture of him jumping high to take the ball on his foot?

The press seem to delight in putting out stories that destabalise the club for whatever reason, so I'm likely to take this with a truck-load of salt quite frankly.

New of the World, a bastion of honest, factual journalism (yeah, right) came up with the story, and every robber and his dog has now leapt on it.

It seems NOTW is the only source so far, so I wouldn't take it too seriously just yet.

Neal

Posted on 30 Jul, 2006 at 01:06 PM - Reply

We tried him as a striker and he's not cut out there. Last season he was our first choice winger, and he made the position his own. He was our top assister. Any suggestion that he is not cutting it, is therefore invalid. I wouldn't sell him to Real Madrid unless we got £20m + Baptista + Robinho, that is his value to the team!

Bubz

Posted on 30 Jul, 2006 at 01:05 PM - Reply

He has met up with the team at the training ground in Austria.

Ricky

Posted on 30 Jul, 2006 at 01:02 PM - Reply

Not difficult to check if reyes is in austria - you should have looked on the Arsenal website.

sani

Posted on 30 Jul, 2006 at 12:52 PM - Reply

Now Reyes says he wants to go! We have another Vieira on our hands every year he's going to Madrid, at least Vieira had some stable years before the annual ritual started.

But in a way I can understand Reyes, it's hard to adapt to thie English weather when you come from a hot climate. the people aren't exactly friendly and it doesn't help if you don't speak english. It will be a shame to loose him!

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