Give Reyes time urges Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is hoping the Gunners fans will give multi-million pound signing Jose Antonio Reyes time to settle in at Highbury.

The 20-year-old Spain international joined Arsenal in midweek and is expected to make his debut as a substitute against Manchester City on Sunday.

Much will be expected of the Spaniard, who has been handed the number nine shirt at Arsenal.

However Wenger knows just how long it took even Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp to get accustomed to life in the Premiership - and has pleaded with fans to have patience.

"We must be patient with him as we don't want to put too much pressure on him by saying that he is a wonderkid. We need to give him time to adapt," said Wenger.

"I feel always that if you can add a piece to the puzzle to make us stronger, you have to make an effort to do it.

"But it is not a signing just for this season. It is to prepare for the future. We want a big team to go into our new stadium and he will be 22 then."

Vice-chairman David Dein added: "Arsene makes very few mistakes when he identifies players.

"But Jose will take time to settle down, to get to know his friends and colleagues, and to learn English and the style of play here.

"English football is different to Spanish football. It took Dennis Bergkamp several months before he scored his first goal after coming from Italy."

Reyes was supposed to be suspended for a game in Spain although the Spanish authorities are not expected to ask their English counterparts to impose a one-game ban from La Liga.