Wenger confident Reyes can handle cup pressure

Arsene Wenger is confident Jose Reyes will be able to handle the pressure and expectations on his shoulders as he makes his full Arsenal debut in tonight’s Carling Cup tie at Middlesbrough.

Arsenal were hoping for a pre-match boost as they awaited confirmation that they will not face another trial by video after the melee towards the end of their weekend victory against Manchester City.

However, they must still overturn a 1-0 deficit in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg, with Reyes, who is just 20, set to lead their attack at the Riverside.

With Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp set to be rested, while Kanu, Sylvain Wiltord and Jeremie Aliadiere are unavailable, Reyes could be partnered either by 19-year-old David Bentley or 17-year-old Quincy Owusu-Abeyie.

Either way, with four Spanish international caps already to his name, Reyes will be Arsenal’s main goalscoring hope as they attempt to reach the final with a mixture of young hopefuls and experienced veterans.

That is nevertheless a major bonus for the Gunners as Reyes was still a Seville player when this game was postponed last week, before he had completed his multi-million pound move to Highbury.

Wenger declared: “At least we have Reyes now. It gives us a chance to score a goal – and maybe two.

“He has four caps for the Spanish national team so he must be used to pressure and, believe me, the players are under pressure at Seville as well.

“He also started playing in the first team there at 16 so he must be used to passionate atmospheres.”

Wenger was impressed at Reyes’ cameo role on his Arsenal debut as a substitute in Sunday’s 2-1 victory against City at Highbury.

“I have no question mark over his talent or his ability. What we want from him is to create goals and score them, and he’s shown that straight away,” added Wenger.

“He gave a chance and made a chance. The question is how quickly he will settle into English life as Seville to London is a big change, but the first signs look very positive.”

While captain Patrick Vieira, who was suspended against City on Sunday, should be there tonight to lead by example, Fredrik Ljungberg is doubtful with a rib injury and Robert Pires may not be risked.

That could at least leave Gilberto Silva and Ray Parlour to strengthen the midfield, but the likes of Jens Lehmann, Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole should also be rested.

Wenger declared: “We’ll look to the likes of Reyes, Pascal Cygan, Bentley, Edu, Patrick Vieira and maybe one other player who started against Manchester City.

“That was a very physical game and I have to protect the squad as we have many big games coming up and it’d be dangerous to expose the players in this match.

“If I put all the first-team players out this Tuesday night, they will not survive after that, I can guarantee you. It’s impossible for me to do it.”

Asked about his debut, Reyes added: “It was difficult conditions for me with the cold and the rain. It was hard not to be cold before coming on but it was okay when I got warmed up.

“I hope that’s the beginning of big success for me and the club.”

Reyes witnessed not only a wonder strike by Thierry Henry in that game, but also an unseemly scuffle between Ashley Cole and Nicolas Anelka after the City striker pulled a goal back.

While Anelka was sent off, Cole was only booked, but both he and team-mate Edu, who was also cautioned, are hoping not to face a video advisory panel investigation.

They were today awaiting confirmation from referee Alan Wiley that he had seen all the incidents during Sunday’s game and had acted accordingly, thereby ensuring they could not be investigated by the FA.