Jose Antonio Reyes: Going To Be Huge This Season

The media have nothing better to do than make up stories when transfer news is lacking and another Arsenal player has been linked with Real Madrid, this time our number 9 Jose Antonio Reyes.

But he has publicly come out and said he’s staying at Arsenal.

But many Arsenal fans have said how good it would be for Reyes to leave.

Am I the only one who likes Jose Antonio Reyes?

Yes, I will admit that he has struggled at times but he always gives 110% for the team which counts for a lot.

The fact is that Reyes started his Arsenal career in fantastic form, scoring twice against Chelsea on his home debut in the FA Cup when Arsenal were 1-0 down to a Mutu goal.

And for the rest of our unbeaten league campaign he was in superb form.

Then at the start of the 2004/2005 season he kept up his impressive displays, with a Man of the Match performance against Manchester United in the Community Shield scoring a goal and helping Arsenal win 3-0 at the Millennium Stadium.

Then in the Premiership he was Arsenal’s MVP as he contributed numerous assists as well as scoring goals against Everton, Boro, Norwich, Blackburn, Fulham & Charton – all before October!

Not bad for a winger!

But then came the moment of Jose’s demise.

On October 24th 2004, Arsenal were 49 games unbeaten and avoiding defeat at Old Trafford would secure 50 games unbeaten in the top flight.

With Arsenal in such a rich vain of form United resorted to rough-house tactics in which Reyes was singled out for ‘special’ treatment. Roy Keane, Phil Neville, Heinze and Gary Neville all went in with particularly bad tackles and Jose Antonio Reyes has suffered ever since.

None of the free-flowing, confident football.

No more beating a man with skill and pace.

Reyes has just seemed to go off the boil for the last season and a half although he has shown glimpses of what he could do against Real Madrid last year.

People talk about unfulfilled potential but people forget the kid is only 22 years old – and should be allowed to have dips in form every now and then.

And remember even the great Thierry Henry was only struggling at Juventus at his age!

Most Arsenal fans would agree that Jose will relish the the Emirates Stadium with the much bigger pitch whichn will give him much more space.

Despite all the rumours of a move back to Spain over the last couple of seasons Arsene Wenger seems determined to make sure Reyes will be a hit at Arsenal.

And this season could be his year.

Finally Chelsea and Arsenal are holding Cole talks to engineer a move to Stamford Bridge.

Not exactly a surprise, and with the Bergkamp testimonial and the tributes given to Dennis for his years of outstanding performances and unquestionable loyalty over the past week, I don’t think Arsenal fans will be giving Cashley the same reception!

To be honest I can only see positives from this move.

Firstly, we have two more than capable players at left back, who are hungry, loyal and will fight for everything in Gael Clichy and Mathieu Flamini.

Cashley only played in the Champions League Final because Flamini was injured!

Secondly, Arsenal should free up some cash for summer signings, but whether we use it will be another story!

Leave your Ashley Cole tributes er.. memories here…

One Man In, One Man Out?

We know Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira are great friends on and off the pitch and now the Great Dutchman has spoken out and said he’d like Vieira to return to Arsenal.

Is this sentimental talk or serious contemplation?

Who knows?

What we do know is that Vieira is still a great player, and although no longer at his peak still a force on the football pitch.

But we also know that in the last 18 months of his Arsenal career his dedication and performances were sadly lacking.

That’s why Arsene gave him the boot!

The big question does Vieira still have the drive?

Juventus have been kicked out of Serie A, stripped of their Serie A titles and could even be relegated to Serie C next season.

While Arsenal have a new stadium, new optimism and some of Paddy’s dearest friends.

Will it happen?

I very much doubt it. Vieira looked okay on Saturday for the few minutes he was on the pitch but Arsene Wenger doesn’t want him back.

Wenger has changed the way Arsenal play with losing Vieira and Bergkamp and Cesc is the man who is the future of Arsenal. He is young, determined and more importantly to Wenger hungry. Patrick was great for Arsenal but times change.

And with reported interest from Barcelona and Inter Milan we’d have a fight on our hands anyway. But apparently we are still owed money from the Vieira transfer so we could possibly get him back on the cheap.

If Wenger did bring Vieira back then he would have to play Gilberto, Vieira and Cesc in the middle, which probably wouldn’t work. But he couldn’t leave any of them on the bench!

But if Gilberto or Cesc get any type of injury this season then we would really be in big trouble!