Bergkamp says goals will Reyes standards

Dennis Bergkamp declared Jose Reyes’ first goals in English football could prove the launch pad to his Arsenal career – and give Thierry Henry more goalscoring support.

Bergkamp knows all about the importance of getting off the mark in the Premiership, having endured six goalless games before scoring twice against Southampton in September 1995.

Reyes also looked to be struggling to adapt to the physical nature of English football before he unleashed a dazzling 25-yard strike to put Arsenal level in their FA Cup fifth-round tie against Chelsea on Sunday.

“It’s always important to get your first goal and that was something off his back,” observed Bergkamp, who was his strike partner at Highbury.

“After that first goal, he was moving everywhere and you could actually see what kind of player he can be. His second goal was a great move, he showed a lot of intelligence with his run.”

Indeed, it was just five minutes later that Reyes scored his second, showing his all-round game by nipping onto Patrick Vieira’s through-ball and clipping his shot over substitute keeper Neil Sullivan.

Bergkamp believes the 20-year-old Spanish international must still get used to the physical challenges and pace of the game before he can produce his best form on a regular basis.

“You could see there’s a lot of potential there and I hope he can move on from this, but you have to deal with the physical side and the pace of the game too,” added Bergkamp.

“But that was probably the most physical type of game you will see, with a lot of fouls and tackles.

"Just two sides really going for it.”

In short, if Reyes can sink rather than swim after being thrown into a game of that intensity, the omens are at least good.

Moreover, even though the Spaniard may have only started the cup tie as Henry aggravated a foot injury on the eve of the game, Arsenal had again proved they are not a one-man team as they could win without their leading scorer.

“That’s good, especially for Thierry as well,” said Bergkamp.

“You can’t expect him to play 60 or 70 games a year. I know that he can do it, but you can’t expect him to do it at the highest level.

“You’ve got to give him a breather. It’s good for the team to have shown we have that belief that we can do it without such a player.”

Bergkamp believes that Reyes will continue to benefit from the support of his team-mates as his learning curve continues.

“I haven’t found it anywhere else, but, even though we have a lot of competition here, everyone wants the other players to do well,” said the Dutchman.

“Everyone has confidence in Jose, they encourage him and it’s typical Arsenal. I experienced it when I first came here too.”

Captain Vieira certainly believes in the potential of the young striker, who is set to become the club’s record signing if he passes certain achievement milestones.

“He’s a terrific player, everyone knows that. As soon as he scored the first goal, the self-belief was there,” observed the Frenchman.

“There’s no question about his talent, but he still needs time as he’s only 20. I remember what it felt like when I came here at the age of 19.

“He just needs time to settle into the different culture, to learn the language and how English football is played. After that, I think he will score more goals.

“It’s nice to have a few players here who can score goals, but Thierry copes very well with the pressure on him. He loves it, I think!”