In today’s Sun, Jose Antonio Reyes said this:
?We drew 2-2 with Chelsea earlier this season and that result left a bad taste in our mouths because we deserved to win that game.
?Now we will try to pay them back ? with interest.”
Wow, strong words! I feel a tinge of excitement hearing them.
Unfortunately I’ve been left with an opposite feeling when I see JAR on the pitch lately. He doesn’t seem to have a lot of fight in him. He kicks the ball, runs after it, falls down a lot, doesn’t always find the right pass.
I really want to see this kid do well, and each game I believe he will be great. Lately I’ve been let down.
For the Chelsea game, what do you think? Would you start JAR? Assuming Henry is out, who are your two strikers? For me, it’d be JAR and vanPersie.
32 Responses to “Strong words from Reyes”
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April 19th, 2005 at 1:00 pm
Reyes has been the shadow of him self since the ugly Nevill sister got a green light from the ref to kick him in the heels at will!! He got pleanty of time to recuperate from that but still hasn?t. In my view he lacks professionalism and is feeling sorry for him self all the time! Don?t get me wrong I like the little fella but then again I also like Aliadiere. He has had a brilliant run in the reserves, scoring a lot of goals and moreover he seems to have vision and is therefore able to create some goals!! I think RVP will be more efficient around Aliadiere than JAR.
April 19th, 2005 at 1:02 pm
With TH14 out, I guess Wenger will persist with Bergkamp and Reyes in attack. This despite both players not enjoying the best of form for a stretch now. I would prefer to stick Reyes in the left wing position and let van Persie roam the center-forward position. Chel$ki defence had been solid the whole season and it will take a special performance from our strikers and midfielders to score against Terry and company.
In the last game, the boys let Chel$ki off the hook with 2 moments of poor defending from setpieces. Hopefully with Gilberto back and Sendoros continuing his recent good play, we can nullify those setpiece mistakes. I hope our defence works out the marking for Terry and Drogba in setpiece situations. For that, I would prefer Campbell to partner Sendoros in the middle of defence and move Toure over to right back. Lauren’s lack of pace could be found wanting against the likes of Duff.
Hmm. I smell a 1-0 win for Arsenal.
April 19th, 2005 at 1:31 pm
i also say pires on the right reyes on the left van p and ali in the middle. though i’d be surprised if AW doesnt start with reyes and DB10….he isnt one for sudden changes and much experimentation is he? i also fancy a 1-0 to the arsenal….with reyes smashing in a stunning 25 yard piledriver to make cech look like a fool!
April 19th, 2005 at 1:39 pm
Hmmm. If I see Reyes & Bergkamp starting up front then I’m just going to lose more faith in Arsene Wenger.
Chelsea are probably praying that those two do start up front, would make their job a lot easier.
As a distinctly average 5-a side footballer, even I wouldn’t mind marking Bergkamp these days.
April 19th, 2005 at 1:49 pm
Clark just hit back at Reyes syaing Chelsea are the most entertaining thing
April 19th, 2005 at 1:54 pm
He’d make you look silly!
He still has some good games. He still has moments of brilliance. We still have NOBODY who can pass like he does “when he is on”.
I would imagine Bergy & Reyes start up front.
With Pires Vieira Gilberto Cesc in the middle.
I personally would like to see Ali and Reyes or Ali and RVP up front, but I just don’t think it will happen.
April 19th, 2005 at 1:58 pm
Yeah, Bergkamp would make me look silly, but Henry/Reyes/Van Persie would make me look ridiculous - that’s the whole point.
April 19th, 2005 at 2:16 pm
Funny ya mentioned how he falls down alot, maybe in a sense that he being fouled alot.
Looking at the OPTA stats, he’s the most fouled player in Arsenal:
1 Jose Reyes 57
2 Patrick Vieira 53
3 Fredrik Ljungberg 49
4 Robert Pires 40
5 Thierry Henry 38
Ya tell me, how in the world he suppose to conjure something special or at least, playing decently without worrying his feet mite break in half with all the players waiting turn to make shishkebab outta this poor boy.
April 19th, 2005 at 2:17 pm
Reyes shows he’s learning the game a little with the trash talk. Maybe his form will follow his mouth, cause that’s usually what happens to young players these days. He says he wants Madrid, plays like it. Wants to win, plays like…we’ll see.
I also think he’s a too much to soon kind of guy. He could have used a little “JV” if you ask me. He came on and gave us all the impression that he was ready. He’s wasn’t, and still isn’t, mentally. He’s thinking too much out there, evident with the way he stutters and stops, and needs more confidence to cut loose and show us that missing 30%. That’s why I think Wenger is playing him and playing him. Same thing with RvP. He knows what they can do, and his experience says to just keep getting them that English top flight experience and one day they’ll either break through or just break. RvP seems to have adjusted already, as he’s a little tougher. Reyes may any day now. One goal and a few makers later over a good side and we may have to put a collar on this dog.
I think Lauren will play, as well. Duff is burned out right now and not at his best. These guys have had rest, but none of them will outrun us. Not even Robben, who’s glass stems will probably give out after 30. I’m not worried about Lampard either. He’s opportunistic and lucky like all good midfielders, but we’re tighter, or should be, even with Senderos out. If I were Wenger, I wouldn’t start Sol, but have him ready in case it looks like Senderos is having trouble with Drogba, which I really think he won’t.
The only person that can hurt us offensively is Joe Cole. Not because he’s the best, but he’s on a run of belief right now and can break us mentally with his audacity. He’s a bull and a risk taker. That mentality used to be effective against us, closed us down in fact. I don’t think so anymore.
I feel seriously good about where we are between the ears and legs, and figure it will matter more than where we are in the boots. I see Chelsea on the back foot most of the game, managing to shut down a lot of chances. But if we’re confident like I think we are, and solid in the midfield and back, we’re going to open up space for those flashes of brilliance and uncover the pretenders that they are.
AFC 1 - 1 Chelsea if I was betting my last dollar. AFC 2 - 0 Chelsea if I bet with my heart.
April 19th, 2005 at 2:17 pm
A stunning reply, Stag. “He’d make you look silly!” I think that’s game, set and match for your argument, Danny. Or maybe not.
April 19th, 2005 at 2:18 pm
That statement sounds the beginning of the end for them.
April 19th, 2005 at 2:22 pm
Complete and utter d-bag Andy Todd charged with violent conduct buy the FA. Guess they don’t care if its the FA Cup or a crap side trying to stay top flight, either.
Well, let’s wait and see what they give him first.
April 19th, 2005 at 2:26 pm
You make a very good point. He does get fouled a lot by defenders who can’t keep up with his pace. As you can see, I rate JAR highly enough to put him in my starting XI for tomorrow’s match, and I really hope for the best for JAR.
April 19th, 2005 at 2:27 pm
Wenger will persist playing with Reyes. NOT because he lack of gut to try something new. It’s because his FAITH on the player. Just like when he did with Henry when he first joined us.
Had Wenger listened to the fans back then and lost his faith in Henry just because the fans thought he couldn’t make it [and plenty of fans thought that way I remember], we would not see the Henry today.
April 19th, 2005 at 2:27 pm
I hope you’re right about JAR scoring the 1-0… that’d be delightful.
And I think you’re right about AW probably starting JAR and DB10… though I’d prefer RvP and JAR.
April 19th, 2005 at 2:39 pm
Great take! I agree about Reyes and I’m happy to keep long-term faith in him even though I’ve been disappointed recently. I wouldn’t be sad at all to keep him despite all the Real Madrid rumors.
We know AW is extremely consistent, so I agree we’ll see Lauren at RB instead of the message boards’ proposal of Kolo moving over for the sake of Senderos.
I’m not as convinced that Duff and the others are burned out though… they had the weekend off.
Joe Cole is very strong right now… and I’d hate to see him score against us.
I agree with your assessment that we will have Chelsea on the back foot but I hope the scoreline reads better than your prediction of 1-1! I’m thinking 2-1 to the Arsenal.
April 19th, 2005 at 3:56 pm
I think the game tomorrow, is more than just a late catch up with race to Arsenal, its also to prove that Arsenal can beat Chelsea.
AW should should not use this game as experement. RVP is good, but he is more effective at the end. I would leave him for later in the game.
Bergy and Reyes up infront is a waste of time. I would push one them back to mid out of Freddie, and put RVP or Ali for the attack.
Its ganna be a good test for Arsenal against one of the goreatest teams this year. It can be a test for our abilities.
Maybe the EPL title is kinda hard to think about it now, but it would be nicer to finish second and by only 3-4 points.
But I can see the game : goes 2-0 chelsea then Arsenal will tie up 2-2. But my heart will ask for a victory for us.
Good luck.
April 19th, 2005 at 4:26 pm
I’d start Reyes and van P in place of Dennis. What have we got to lose? If van P is clearly outclassed, or if he looks frustrated and about to lose his temper, then we can sub him. But currently, Dennis and Reyes in combination don’t inspire confidence, I think. If Thierry plays, then I’d like to see what he looks like in partnership with van P.
April 19th, 2005 at 5:16 pm
I think Bergy still has a little bit left in the tank. I wonder if he gets another year, or is sent packing!
April 19th, 2005 at 8:07 pm
I reckon Wenger will start VanP with Dennis up front with reyes left pires right. i dont see him dropping reyes jus yet even though he is badly out of form as thats not wenger’s style.
Chelsea have been concedin alot of goals lately unlike us, this isnt one of chelsea’s 3 big games (liverpool, liverpool & ac are) therefore a confidence building WIN will hopefully see us gettin 2nd place along with a thrashing against man u!
April 19th, 2005 at 9:16 pm
I’m sticking my head out for this..
Dare we play a
VanPersie
Ljungberg
Reyes - Vieira - Gilberto - Pires
Cole - Senderos - Toure - Lauren
Lehmann
We need the graft of Pires and the speed of Reyes in this match.Ljungberg must not be left out because he can wriggle into the tight spaces or pop up in the box between the Chelski bodyguards.
Worth a try if I were a coach.Skill and physical play.
April 19th, 2005 at 9:29 pm
I am quite sure Bergkhamp won’t start tomorow.
He played 80 minutes saturday. I don’t think it’s wise to start him tomorow. He can come in as a sub and give more option.
We have a must win game the spurs monday.
I think AW will start RVP/Reyes, and Cesc at the right as EDU’s back in the team.
My team is :
Lehman; Cole, Senderos, Kolo/Sol, Lauren/Kolo; Cesc, Silva,Viera, Pires; Reyes/RVP.
Sub : Edu, Aliadi?re, Dennis, Aluminia.
No matters how ugly he’s been for a while, Reyes can change a game. He always try.
Chelski could be a turn point for all the good for Jose.
He’s not very mature but he’s a special player.
April 19th, 2005 at 9:44 pm
I agree with the 1-1. Mourinho is too arrogant to want to be shown up & I think he’ll pack the box & get numbers behind the ball constantly & play for the draw or nick it with the odd goal.
I don’t think a draw would be disaster for us & despite what DannyT claims, Chelsea still have to prove they can beat us consistently (last win in the Premiership, ‘95). Plus Everton MAY give Man U a run for their money. The Toffees are fighting for a ECL qualifying spot.
April 19th, 2005 at 9:48 pm
What I’d like to see:
Lehmann
Kolo, Cambell, Senderos, Cole
Pires, Gilberto, Vieira, Reyes
Henry, Van Persie
————————————————————
What I think we’ll see:
Lehmann
Lauren, Campbell, Kolo, Cole
Pires/Cesc, Gilberto, Vieira, Edu/Pires
Henry, Reyes
April 19th, 2005 at 11:23 pm
I don’t argue with your point at all, but doesn’t that just mean Reyes should look to pint-sized players like Johnson (Crystal Palace) and Dickov (Blackburn) for tips on using muscle to augment your pace? Those players take a pounding before they go down, Reyes goes a little easy in my opinion, and there is only so much refs will do to protect him if he doesn’t choose to protect himself.
April 20th, 2005 at 12:03 am
Good point, IceOtter. I have noticed as of late (particularly during Palace v Norwich) that Andy Johnson is a fairly easy pushover. 10 of his 19 goals this season have come from the spot. This is one of those instances where (I think Stag will agree with me) that an English player is getting away with perhaps going down perhaps a bit too easily while the Spaniard takes all the stick. Of course Iain Dowie has defended him (and rightly so - thats what bosses ought to do most times), but the whole thing has to make you think a little bit.
April 20th, 2005 at 12:05 am
You’d think I’d have prepared a better post than that, and not used the word “perhaps” twice in the same sentence. You’d think that, but you’d be wrong. Note to self: Never bang out ArseAm posts at midnight.
April 20th, 2005 at 5:31 am
Pires on the right just doesnt work. He is far more effective on the left.
April 20th, 2005 at 9:30 am
I agree I think Pires on the left Reyes on the right
April 20th, 2005 at 9:32 am
The one thing about DB10 though is that he only has to play well for 5 seconds during a game to hurt you.
April 20th, 2005 at 10:55 am
I would love to see Bergkamp and van Persie up top. Defenders seem to “be onto” Reyes. I think the previous pairing would throw them off a bit.
April 20th, 2005 at 10:28 pm
i’d have thought that for sure…..
good laugh mate.