Wenger denies Reyes agenda
09 Aug 2006 - 08:20:23
Arsene Wenger has insisted his decision to leave Jose Antonio Reyes on the bench for Arsenal's 3-0 win at Dinamo Zagreb should not be taken as a sign that the Spaniard is about to leave the club.
The 22-year-old is a target for Real Madrid, but the Spanish giants would have ended their interest if he had become cup-tied by playing in Tuesday's Champions League qualifier.
Wenger claimed that was not a factor in his selection and that Reyes was omitted from the team because summer signing Tomas Rosicky was in better shape.
"I feel Tomas was ready physically to play and that Reyes, with all the noises made about his transfer with Real Madrid, has been unsettled," said the Gunners boss.
"I did not think he had the right concentration to play.
"I just considered the game and the fact he will be cup-tied or not did not come into my mind. I played the team which I thought had a good chance to win the game."
The Gunners won the first leg of the third qualifying round tie thanks to a second-half brace from Cesc Fabregas and a goal from Robin van Persie, despite being without Thierry Henry, Jens Lehman, Freddie Ljungberg and Ashley Cole.
Wenger said: "When you take the average age of our team, you can only say it is amazing how these guys master not only the tactics but also the stressful side of these games.
"There was a lot at stake and we dealt well with the problems we faced.
"It is a big step for qualification, but we want to finish the job at home.
"We had a very young team out and it shows this team is full of promise because they are not scared to play."
