There have been some doubts raised over Reyes’ ability following his bad spell lately. Football is a funny thing at times, things surely change fast, if nothing else.
From what I have seen so far, Reyes is very much the same player who joined us in the middle of last season. Not really getting significantly better, yet not getting any worse. So why is that last season everyone had been hailing him as such a great talent, and now he’s crap?
To be frank, I didn’t really go over the moon for Reyes when he first joined Arsenal. Sure, he did seem to have a great deal of potential, but he hadn’t exactly lit up the world.
Some have critized his tendency of falling over too easily,or that he appears not strong enough physically. I feel the main problem is not his physical strength, or rather lack of it, it’s his decision making. Reyes tends to hold on to the ball too long, and always wants to take on defenders with his dribbling skills.
On this aspect, Pires is a much more intelligent player than Reyes. The French winger isn’t exactly a bulldog himselfr, but he’s smart, and extremely unselfish. We don’t see Pires attempting any unnecessary dribbling, what Le Rob does is simply keep hold of the ball, protecting the ball by either his solid ball-control, or a well-timed pass. Pires knows the right time to make a pass, and most importantly, he’s willing to pass the ball instead of going for glory. As a result, we seldom see Pires giving away the possession cheaply.
Reyes, on the other hand, would attempt to take on players or shoot whenever he can, even when his teammates are in a better position. By holding on the ball too long himself, it’s like inviting the oppostion defenders to challenge him with a tackle. As Reyes is not the strongest player in the world it’s no suprise he would be falling all over the pitch like he couldn’t stand still with two feet.
Nevertheless, as some folks here pointed out - he’s still young, and could grow to be wiser with experience. He better, because the Premiership is not a place for softies. You either adapt, adjust, and live with the physical side of the Premiership, or pack your bags and head home.
16 Responses to “Why can’t Reyes stand still?”
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January 1st, 2005 at 12:12 pm
There really should be NO DOUBT about Reyes’ ability. He has tremendous skills. The question is about his adaptability to the English game.
We win 3-1 today! Freddie was the man.
January 1st, 2005 at 12:21 pm
Reyes is HUGELY talented. No doubt about it. One of the best dribblers I’ve seen. Remember his performance this seasons pre the MANU hackdown? I don’t think he tries to take on players too much. That’s who he is, like Robben, that’s who he is. When it works its great for the team. I enjoyed it immensely against ManU in the Charity Shield. When it doesn’t is another story. I think he falls down too much and loses the ball. He also doesn’t play intelligent like Bob when his ability for whatever reason is not there, as it has been recently.
A 3-1 win. A goal by van. P, I’m sure with many more to come. Freddie the man. Always good to see the team win with the youngsters in.
Hears to hoping Boro beat ManU
January 1st, 2005 at 1:02 pm
The Spanish league is to blame for Reyes’s problem mostly.That is much more a technical league,but im not saying england isnt, but it is definitely more physical.
January 1st, 2005 at 4:06 pm
Reyes is terrific, loads of skill, so long as the Manure aren’t kicking him to pieces.
Henry? Was he in a sulk today? Was he putting on a display of critical petulence? No shortage of his dazzling skills but what about those final passes into a space where someone ought to have been but - and he must surely have known this? - they weren’t. Was he saying, ‘So where are you, you lazy incompetents?’ Hope I’m wrong in this interpretation. I also hope Sol’s ankle is OK.
Miranda
January 1st, 2005 at 4:56 pm
???
Ummm. didn’t really read into anything about Henry sulking in the game I watched… he didn’t score… oh my, the world is ending!
January 1st, 2005 at 5:22 pm
Rumours
Heard an odd one today, which unfortunately I’m beginning to credit. Yes, it’s a player from the Totts but, no alas, not King or Defoe. Guess who?
Clue: remember the kind of player Wenger seemed hell bent on signing last August?
Interesting stat:
Best pass-completion record in the EPL so far this season: not an Arsenal player in the top 4 surprisingly, but fifth was - even more surprisingly, I thought - Lauren! I really don’t want to lose him.
Miranda
January 1st, 2005 at 6:17 pm
Michael Carrick?!!!
January 1st, 2005 at 6:48 pm
Solid points, Andez. Reyes was really finding his form, having a grand old time, until he started getting kicked and pushed. I agree with others who’ve said he’s a great player, but maybe not yet a great English player. If I were Wenger, I would kindly send his family home and pay Keown to room him. Chain him up in the garden, and start feeding him raw meat. The kid is too nice. Its high time he started looking less like grinny bear and more like…Carlos Tevez.
Or maybe send him to bootcamp with RVP and give them translating dictionaries. Cause one thing’s for sure, RVP was outstanding today and he isn’t taking anything from anybody. Who do we think is going to be able to reward Wenger the most for his faith in them? The one who couldn’t give a toss who’s booting his shins. Brass ones, Gooners. That’s what Reyes needs and what vanP has in surplus.
As far as Chelsea winning everything…they’ve been doing this late goal thing all year long. Why are teams not going sub for sub with Mourinho? Two late goals for Joe Cole. Two LUCKY, deflected, late goals. To be honest, I think their depth isn’t all I thought it was going to be, and its NOT unstoppable. Fresh legs on the subs. Harry them. Make them frustrated. Foul them professionally. You just can’t sit still when Jose makes his changes. Its gotten them to where they are.
They are one important call away from dropping points. And we’re on the rise. Starting to play home and away ties like we’re supposed to. Grinding them out away, slugging the caca out of teams at home. Its getting better. Sol will be back in two games.
If I’m Wenger, this is what I’m telling the lads: Mourinho and his legion will falter. Not next season, but this one. ManU will punish them ruefully, and we will shock them at Stamford bridge. It will be the most memorable game in AFC history. They will lose the plot, stop getting lucky, and we will be there to finish them when they do.
The more I think about it, its kind of nice really for The Arsenal to ALWAYS have something to play for. Its time for everyone on the pitch to WANT to be the underdog. Its time to bear fangs. Paddy’s doing it. vanP’s doing it. Henry’s always had disdain for the opposition. Sol, too. This is not an ego thing, this is a matter of pride and prejudice. If you can’t get that game face on, you’ll be watching from home.
So long streak, hello fire.
January 1st, 2005 at 7:35 pm
Well said Scot. And should Reyes get his place back in the team then, or continue with Persie?
January 2nd, 2005 at 7:08 am
Nope, but you’re on the right track. I really don’t want to credit this rumour but it has a kind of spooky plausibility! Miranda
January 2nd, 2005 at 11:25 am
why not continue to rotate them?
Bergkamp will start over both, when healthy…
January 2nd, 2005 at 12:20 pm
That player was Trablesi. Right full back, now who from Spurs could that be???
January 2nd, 2005 at 3:35 pm
It’s . . . er . . . Ziegler. Which probably doesn’t leave you any the wiser! I haven’t trawled the net for info about him but it looks as though he’s currently a midfielder who has come off the bench for five minutes a couple of times. Has Wenger been watching the video of those five minutes again and again, or been hiding behind a tree at Spurs reserve games, wearing a big hat, mustache and shades? I’ve not seen this Ziegler, never even heard of him, I’m ashamed to say, but I’d guess he’s a kid, and probably German? The reason I think there might be something in this is that it’s just the kind of improbable signing Wenger goes in for. Not King, not van der Saar, not Defoe or Wright-Phillips or any expensive premiership player we’ve been linked with and who we all think we might want, but a totallly unknown young midfielder! Miranda
January 2nd, 2005 at 5:25 pm
I agree with Stagg, we’re going to have to split time cause things are going to get congested and hairy in the next few months. The fresher we are, the better we are. But if vanP is doing the job, I say let him play. He deserves his chance and he can stay on his feet. The flow is coming back.
I don’t know if DB10 can edge out vanP automatically, though. All depends on vanP’f form at the moment. If he’s on, you keep him on, yes?
I also would like to see what else vanP can do. Where else can he play? And Henry might need a rest at some point, so let’s see him start with Reyes. Maybe against Stoke City? Imagine that, Hoyte brings it up on a one two with Clichy, who gets it to Cesc who feeds to vanP who backheels it to Reyes for the goal. What’s the combined age of the series I wonder? Then Quincy and Lupoli come in to sub them both out. Could happen.
And the kid can take corners better than Theirry, which, unfortunately, isn’t hard to do. It was said here that we looked dangerous on set pieces. If I’m Wenger and we find a way to score from set pieces, that’s how we should play.
January 2nd, 2005 at 7:32 pm
When Bergkamp is healthy and playing in form, he STILL adds a dimension to this team that NO OTHER player can. He still has great vision and the ability to make passes that can’t be matched. Bergy will play if he is healthy… in my opinion.
January 2nd, 2005 at 10:36 pm
On Scotty’s point,
I also believe that ManU CAN take 3 pts against Chelsea. They have the players that can keep Duff and Robben silent, and when these two players can’t do anything, Chelsea can’t do much.
And Arsenal MUST take 3 pts against Chelsea in the next game. I do believe the wounded ManU and Arsenal are the only two teams that can take on Mourinho’s team now.
That would be 6 pts lost to Chelsea.
Theoritically, yes.
Can Chelsea drop points elsewhere? Yes, drop 2 points here and there maybe. But so can us.
Gonna be interesting season.
My mind is keep saying, this gonna be Chelsea year, but my heart still believe that we are going to kick a** in the final lap of the race.
Somehow, just somehow, I feel that Reyes can be the person that makes a difference later on, not RvP. Its frustating to see him fall over too many times, but he has Freddie’s genes and Robben’s talent. He is a footballer that can make things happen. Robben is so scary at the moment I got mad at AW for not splashing money for him. But if Reyes can adapt, he can be better than Robben.