If anyone wondered why would Arsenal offered Jose Reyes a new contract during the summer after a largely non-existent performance last season, I guess the victory over Fulham could give us a little bit of idea.
To me, he was undoubtly one of the best players on the pitch. In the past, I felt his major flaw was his decision making, holding up the ball for too long while he should pass, and inviting oppositions to charge him down. From the game against Fulham alone, it seemed he had finally learned to be a little bit smarter - releasing the ball quick and decisively, drove to the flank and cut the ball back to the middle, something we didn’t see too often from him at the past. Most importantly, he stopped taking defenders on all the time. That made him more effective during the team’s attacking build up play. He became a “part” of the Arsenal attacking machine.
With that, we could finally see his superb talent. His touch, his close control, and his pace was simply top class. To me, he’s without a doubt Arsenal’s biggest X-factor this season. A player who would have a huge influence towards the chances of our team’s success.
We have a lack of depth this season, everybody can see it. With apparently no more players coming in until January at least, the only way for us to counter Cashsea and United is to make the most out of our current squad. And what most of us have forgotton is - we have a talented player in our squad who was a non-factor last season. Should he finally live up to his potential, it’s almost like a brand new signing. A potiental match-winner that we been seeking for.
Anyone who had watched the Fulham game, can you honestly deny the TALENT this kid Reyes has? I have a strong feeling, when the day he finally fully adapts to the English game and the way we play, he will be HUGE. And judge the performance from the Fulham game, I’m glad to see he looks to be heading towards the right direction, finally.
The case of Reyes is further proof that we have to be patient with our youngsters. Don’t expect too much from the kids too soon. They will suffer setbacks, but a real deal is a real deal. With our support, they will have more confidence in themselves, and will develop much more quickly than if they’re hearing boos. I know a few sections of fans have already lost a little bit in Senderos. But this is a natural learning curve every young player has to go through. Tony Adams was once being totally destroyed on the pitch by the great Marco van Basten, at the tender age of 22. But that didn’t stop him from eventually becoming one of the greatest Arsenal players of all time. Drogba destroyed Senderos? Senderos scared of seeing the shadow of Drogba? I didn’t think so. I watched Senderos very carefully during the Chelsea league match. Just look at the face expression and body language, the kid was determined to prove a point (after the Community goal), the goal Drogba scored it didn’t matter whether it’s Sol Campbell, Tony Adams or Paolo Maldini, I doubt he could stop that. Afterall, it’s a touch of miscontrol, I bet even Drogba himself was suprised to see it going in.
12 Responses to “Who’s that new kid in the number 9 shirt?!”
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August 24th, 2005 at 6:33 pm
Btw, I knew AfrikanG agreed, anyone else feels Lehmann is so far one of our best performancers of the new season so far? A_G credited it to the “benching effect”, who knows? maybe he has a point!
Ok, before I get carried away. Credited to Fulham came to Highbury trying to “play” football, one of the few sides who dared not to pack their midfield, instead coming out and attack. So the 4-1 victory didn’t truely reflect our real ability this season.
Nevertheless, giving that morale-killer defeat against Cashsea, and the fact that we missed a penalty, trailing behind 0-1, a potential disaster waiting to happen… the team bounced back and showed a fighting spirit which clearly absent in the previous match. Very proud of that! Keep it up Gunners!
August 24th, 2005 at 6:38 pm
Damn Andez,
I don’t wanna be nice but for your sake I will say Reyes was on top form. I hope he proves me wrong and not another 1 in 6 for him.
As I said I will comment on the team after 10 games but will give them 7 out of 10. Yes we played well but it was against Fulham. They are not good but put a bit of pressure on our defends which I did not like but all in all a good game.
Clarkey to asked your question below - Hooliganism is a thing off the past. On our way back we got to Victoria station to meet lots of fans from chelsea, got on the same train and you wonder why both set of fans were nice to each other. We agree and disagree on things which is part of the game.
There was one Hooligan today running around like a headless chicken and his name is Cygan. Damn Cygan was no top form too. Someone told me he took Helb boots. He make some of us look stupid when we saw the lining up.
Cygan !!!! on a hat trick
cy!!!gan on hat trick
la la la!!!!!!! la la
August 24th, 2005 at 6:41 pm
Hmm is Cygan the reason why I’m anonymous gooner.
August 24th, 2005 at 6:50 pm
At the start of last season i honestly thought reyes looked like he was gonna be one of the best players ever to play in an arsenal shirt, and my thoughts havent changed at all. i do want to see him play up front for a bit so he can get some more confidence in his finishing though. Also, its kind of annoying the pessimism that follows arsenal around these days when something goes wrong. Whether its reyes having a bad spell, henry not scoring for ONE game against chelsie or when fulham scored tonight! The feelin going around the ground was that it was gonna be one of those nights cos we went a goal down in 20 mins. Arsenal fans need to be more positive and stop believing the constant negativity in the press
August 24th, 2005 at 7:26 pm
LoveG, I know I probably got too excited too early (about Reyes), but we saw all the basic elements of a very good player there - touch, pace, control. Form could be gone overnight, but “class” and “talent” will always be there, either you have it, or not.
If he could overcome the physical side of the Premiership, and keep it simple, play with sense, he’s gonna be big. This guy just reminds me so much of Marc Overmars.
It’s still early yet, but the SIGN is good! Now i’ll be interested to see how he would perform when the space is TIGHT. That will be his real test.
August 24th, 2005 at 8:32 pm
This season will tell all. Reyes was great tonight, and Bergkamp was simply outstanding. If only they could play like that every week, all season long.
August 24th, 2005 at 9:01 pm
You have to love it when players getting KILLED on this site and most other sites… step up and play so well.
Reyes was excellent. He has the skills and determination. Long may it last.
Bergy’s career was over a few days ago. He still can play a big part, when he is on. He has sublime skills on his day.
Cygan!
We have Pascal Cy-gan
We have Pascal Cy-gan
What else can you say. He played well. He distributes the ball well from the back. If he can pitch in once in a while with that type of performance, it is easy to see why Wenger keeps him. Senderos will have his ups and downs, we need Cygan to play decent football. Its simple.
And… as I said earlier…
Fulham came to play. Not sure WHY? I’d have done what most teams do, especially up 1-0!
Clog the middle and 10 behind the ball…
but they played football, and we spanked them!
Thierry Henry… geez… maybe he isn’t such a bad captain after all? He played his usual amazing football tonite… but please… TAKE THE PENALTY THIERRY!
Good match by just about all the Gunners.
August 24th, 2005 at 10:06 pm
Reyes was excellent as I thought he would be…He was saying all the right things before the season began and he showed it tonite…It was apparent after the ManU game last year and his difficulty adjusting to life off field, that it really affected his game…But, we could all see his enormous potential in the beginning..He will learn to pass the ball quicker just as most young players eventually do. Why he was left out of the Chelsea game I still can’t figure out. Clichy is also another talent we don’t want to leave on the bench often…He needs playing time too…
Pires should not even make the bench. Also, I believe benching Bergy did some good…He showed some fire and played with detemination. Problem with him is consistency and I think resting him a few games is a good thing for that old body.
August 24th, 2005 at 10:29 pm
The best line up for Arsenal this season have shown us a wonderfull game, van Persie could exchange with Begkamp in some matches.
Surprisingly Henry played a nice game, which made me happy.
Reyes Looked like a real star on the pitch, he seems to have the confidence of his teammates which is helping him a lot, his linking with Cloe and Henry was a good evedence. I got excited whenever Reyes is on the pitch because he can offer alot to the team.
Clichy looked really cool, his body is getting stronger, he will make a very good cover for both Cole and Reyes on the Left side, he is good getting forward and defending. It is amazing that he only cost us 250,000 pounds.
I think having Reyes or Clichy is a must in every game, because we need players with great pace like them to open the wings.
Reyes will give his maximum this season to have a chance to be at the world cup in Germany, and I believe that he will be the player of the season, with players such as van Persie, Hleb and Henry are being serious contenders.
This team is so exciting to watch, I wish Wenger always plays them, and we still have van Persie, Clichy and Quincy who to fit slowely but nicely in the team.
August 24th, 2005 at 11:50 pm
Still not seen the game or goals today but will get hold of it soon. So like someone else said (sorry I forget who it was, AfricanG?) the bench time did Reyes good then?
The one problem of his that I remember from last season was the lack of understanding between his teammates. He didn’t move as per their understanding. I was hoping that with more training and practice, that should be addressed. No doubt the kid is talented. So I hope he settles in.
Regarding Senderos in sunday’s game, I kept noticing his body language (from my limited TV view). I did feel he was fine until Drogba appeared near him. Will this fear last? I don’t think so. It can’t. The more games he gets under his belt this year, he will become stronger. Yeah I agree Drogba’s goal could have been against anyone. But atleast the guy’s celebration showed that he was shocked himself to score. He didn’t do his regular celebration.
August 25th, 2005 at 6:31 am
Reyes omitted and ill prior to the start of the Cashsea match, so AW gave him a rest.
August 25th, 2005 at 8:02 pm
He is our most expensive signing ever, so why wouldnt he be great?