REYES – WHAT WENT WRONG?


Highbury
By AJ The Gunner
March 30 2005

Is it really possible that it’s the difficulty in adjusting to his new environment that has resulted in the Reyes we now see? Recently every paper reports Reyes’ desperations to move to Real Madrid this summer.

The sound of it all rings of a defeatist attitude, and fear of failure on Reyes’ part, and not really an Arsenal attitude unless something else is really up that we know nothing about. What I perceive is that something must have happened that resulted in this latest saga.

What every Gunner is certain of is that there has been a drastic drop in his form; and this has indeed become a very big puzzle to most Arsenal fans. He was so outstanding at the beginning of the season that he became the darling of the fans, and a real threat to defenders. Some called him KING REYES while others called him THE REYES OF SUNSHINE. Such was his display that he scored 5 goals in his first 5 games this season. Just as we fans were getting used to this overdrive we were greeted with a rude shock late in October. Here was this outstanding Spanish import with such great skills, and an electrifying pace, and then he suddenly dropped in form badly. This was then followed by strong rumours suggesting he will be off to Real this summer.

To date Gunners are still trying to figure out what really went wrong. Knowing that this is no ordinary Arsenal side he's come into, the history making team of last season, one would still not doubt Reyes' technical prowess. Arsene though had warned that Reyes still needed to get used to his environment, and the physical nature of the Premiership as against Spain, where he didn't need to use his body because of his pace and his tricks; while in England he needs pace, tricks and body strength. But this acclimatization does not seem to have achieved. Even Wenger is still a little puzzled as to what went wrong and Reyes on his part said that he had no idea as to what is wrong and claims to be finding life here difficult. What we all know for sure is that he has endured some of the most difficult weeks of his career at Highbury.

What is really behind this sudden inability to adjust to life in England that he now claims is his reason for wanting to return to Spain. (I doubt if it’s really the real reason for this drop of form). The press, especially the Spanish media, football lovers, and even we Gunners have come up with all sorts of reasons for this drop in form. From Reyes being homesick and unable to adjust to life in London, to his family not liking life in London,  to his girl friend working in Madrid, and wanting him to live there with her. There is now the constantly expressed wish that he desires to play for the mighty Real (evidence being the radio hoax). Some even claimed it was as a result of the battering by the Neville brothers.

But the explanation I find ridiculous, and totally out line, is the explanation suggesting that Henry is responsible for his drop of form. Some fans had simply drawn themselves to the conclusion that Thierry simply didn't like Reyes all that much. All which they claim has caused Reyes to play badly every time Henry is playing too. (A very wrong conclusion in my opinion)

Looking critically at these reasons pointed out by everyone, or Reyes’ sudden claim of inability to adjust to life in London, I find them not enough to justify Reyes’ poor run. (Maybe I’m being too analytical) For one when he was in great form prior to October their were no cries of difficulties in adjusting to life here, or talks of being homesick or having problems with his team mates. Was he not the one who said before all went wrong that he had been left in awe by the facilities at Arsenal, and insisted that The Gunners have to be considered as the best club in world football.

He further stated that Arsenal is just incredible and the best club in the world, above even (Real) Madrid that he now appears so desperate to join. He cited the structure, the coaches, and the directors, the journeys in private planes, Wenger’s seriousness, respect and his exceptional treatment of the players as wonderful. He further expounded that he could not describe what great teammates he had. This latest desperate desire to move to Real was never an option for him either. Before the cookie crumbled Reyes had called his Gunners teammates the real galactico’s and claimed he dreams of the day we would meet Real in thechampions league and beat them, so that it will be on record that Arsenal beat the mighty Real.

Is the battering by The Neville brother’s, and the fact that the Referee didn’t protect him against the assaults the reason? Reyes’ himself said he was the most kicked at player in the La Liga so it was nothing new to him that he would get the same treatment in the Premiership. What though surprised him was the fact that the Referees didn’t really try to protect him. He was in fact looking forward to playing the return leg at Highbury. As for those who believe Henry is responsible for this poor run, Reyes had declared to everyone who cared to know that Henry was his favorite player. He even said he believes that Thierry Henry edges out Zinedine Zidane as the best player in the world. He further admitted that when he was plying his trade in Spain he regarded Zidane as the worlds finest but however, since switching to Arsenal and has gained first-hand experience of Henry's ability he feels he is a superior performer. He finished by declaring that Henry is a footballer beyond the normal. Henry’s relationship with Reyes on the pitch is one of great respect and nothing like what people are trying to make it to be.

One issue which everyone has overlooked in the bid to figure out what is really responsible for this poor run, or the desire to leave, which I believe may be a major part of what is the true explanation, is the controversy surrounding Spanish coach's Luis Aragones remarks about Thierry Henry. Everything was rosy for Reyes in spite of the battering at Old Trafford until he went for international call up; and his coach made a racist remark against Henry, which he had claimed, was to motivate him. He then returned to Highbury and has struggled since to reignite his game, or regain confidence. Despite the fact that this racist issue had escalated with Henry, and his other team mates making it clear how they felt about Aragones’ remarks, Reyes has constantly backed and defended his manager, claiming his coach was only sharing a joke with him, a joke meant for the training ground. (What an expensive joke)

Could it be that perhaps Reyes is having an attack of conscience for the part he has played in this racist saga? After all facing his teammates, especially Henry, would not have been easy for him especially as he has constantly defended his coach. To date he still does not see anything wrong with what was said. So could this, perhaps, be the real root to Reyes’ drastic drop of form after all he will be torn between standing up for the man he claims is his favourite player, plus his team mates, and his National coach and country. We all know that not all Spanish people are racist, so he should not be out to prove that to all, and surely he knows that Henry is way ahead of him, and that it would be a massive task to prove otherwise.

My conclusion is that Reyes is not being very honest as to what has resulted in his drastic drop of form and neither his claim of not knowing what the reason is, to the sudden claim of finding life difficult in London is very convincing. Would all these claims have started if he were still playing like he did prior October? Even if we never eventually know what his true reasons are, these Reyes issues may well end with his move to Real Madrid.