Reyes ready for rough stuff from United

Jose Antonio Reyes may find himself singled out for rough treatment by Manchester United in Saturday’s FA Cup final but the young Spanish striker would like to believe it is nothing personal.

The 21-year-old was left bruised and battered following United’s strong-arm tactics during their controversial 2-0 win at Old Trafford in October, which ended the Gunners’ unbeaten league run.

The episode left manager Arsene Wenger fuming – “I cannot accept that when Reyes gets kicked off the pitch the referee accepts it”, he said at the time.

And it also led to a confrontation between Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira and United skipper Roy Keane in the Highbury tunnel before the team’s return clash in February, the Frenchman seeking out Gary Neville to berate the defender over his physical approach adopted against the young striker.

Reyes is now fit again following a thigh injury which ruled him out of the final Premiership match of the season last weekend at Birmingham. The Spaniard is likely to be central to Wenger’s attacking plans for Saturday’s showdown at the Millennium Stadium.

The striker admits he was surprised to have found himself targeted in such an aggressive way when he faced United earlier in the season.

“It was a very physical game and I have played very physical games in Spain, but here it surprised me a little bit,” reflected Reyes, who was poignantly sporting an anti-bullying wristband when facing the media this week.

“It is true that every time I got the ball, I did seem to get kicked quite a lot, but a player never thinks like that. You don’t know, maybe on Saturday, I will not get kicked at all, you just don’t know.”

Reyes admits the way his team-mates stuck up for him had left an impression.

“It is really nice when your own team protects you like that – and even more so when it is your captain, or someone like Henry. It does make you feel much more part of the team,” said the Spaniard.

Reyes joined Arsenal from Seville at the end of January 2004. It has, though, taken some time for him to settle in England.

The 21-year-old, however, maintains he is happy at Arsenal, who have supported him through a difficult period in his career.

“It has been a season full of ups and downs,” he reflected. “There have been a lot of personal issues, like the death of my grandfather, but now, thank God, we are moving forwards and everything is okay – I feel a lot more comfortable.

“There have been some difficult moments for me, but I will be staying at the club. I have been given support from my team-mates at important times and that means a lot to me.

“Right now, though, I am passing through a good moment, and on Saturday I have to make the most of it.”

Reyes revealed how the north-London club had rallied around him after he had been duped into believing he was speaking with Real’s sporting director Emilio Butragueno.

“It is true that when it happened, it made me feel bad,” he recalled, “but I am in a good moment now, and it is better to look forwards.

“After that happened, it was not only the players who made me feel welcome, but also everyone at Arsenal.

“When I went into training, I just wanted to see what the reception was like. More than anything, though, I was worried about the fans – but they were incredible and very nice to me. It is because of things like that that I am now starting to feel comfortable.”

Reyes certainly has the full confidence of his manager after netting twice in his last four appearances, including a fine strike to beat Tottenham at Highbury, as Arsenal look to cope without Henry’s attacking prowess.

Wenger has, though, not yet decided whether Reyes will feature up front with either Dennis Bergkamp or Robin van Persie, or be utilised on the flank.

“We had been playing a few games with Thierry because of his injury, and we seem to have been managing okay,” reflected the young Spaniard.

“As long as I play in the starting XI, I don’t care where I play.”

Reyes, meanwhile, admits he knew little about the tradition of the FA Cup before he moved to England at the start of last year – but has now been left in no doubt as to how important the competition is regarded.

He said: “To be honest, I had not seen it at home in Spain – but through what is mentioned in the changing rooms and what my team-mates say, I am up to date with what it is about!”