Wenger calls on Reyes to show strength and stay loyal

ARSENE WENGER has challenged Jose Antonio Reyes to show inner strength to resist the temptation of giving up on his Arsenal career and returning to Spain after just a year at the club.

Reyes admitted in a radio interview, when he was duped into believing he was talking to Real Madrid sporting director Emilio Butragueno, that he dreamed of moving to the Spanish club. Wenger insisted Reyes, who is understood to be homesick, would have to demand a move as he has no intention of selling him and he backed him to come through this test of character.

“We signed Reyes as a 20-year-old and we have gone for the challenge of making him into one of the big players. This doesn’t change my determination to see that through,” said Wenger.