Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he will continue to back Jose Antonio Reyes despite continuing reports the winger wants to return to Spain. Reyes, 21, has admitted he would like to play for Real Madrid but Wenger is keen to see him stay at Highbury.
"I feel I have to persist with him. This guy has so much talent and is still so young," said Wenger.
"With that big a transfer fee people expect you to give your best straight away. They forget he is only 21."
Wenger added: "For me Jose is coming back to his best. He shows that in training and he was very mobile and dangerous at Blackburn."
Reyes joined Arsenal in a �17m deal from Sevilla last season and started brightly for the Gunners, but he has suffered from a loss of form at times this season.
Jesus Rodriguez de Moya, Reyes' agent, last week told BBC Sport the player did not want to leave the Premiership club despite reports to the contrary in the Spanish press.
"These reports coming out of Spain are simply not true," said Moya.
"Jose Antonio is happy at Arsenal and he has a contract with the club for a very long time to come. This speculation is going to have to stop."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
