Reyes in £21m Arsenal move

The Spanish international's arrival is a huge boost to a team that have become overly reliant on the brilliance of Thierry Henry, but raises questions as to how Arsenal found the money.

Wenger, whose side face a Carling Cup semi-final in Middlesbrough tomorrow, has been working with a limited transfer budget because of the cost of building the club's new stadium at Ashburton Grove and Reyes will be his first major signing since Gilberto Silva's arrival 18 months ago.

Reyes' transfer is also likely to bring the Highbury careers of Wiltord and Kanu to a close.

Both their contracts expire in the summer and Wenger is looking to fashion a younger team.

Meanwhile, youngsters David Bentley and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie are set to form Arsenal's inexperienced attack in tomorrow's Carling Cup semi-final second leg at Middlesbrough.

"They both played a bit within themselves in the first leg, but it's always important to give players a second chance and I think I will do that," said Wenger, whose side trail in the tie 1-0.

Even though Arsenal must come from behind, the Gunners face the task of hauling themselves back into contention with a strikeforce with a combined age of just 36.

Wenger will rest not only Henry but also Dennis Bergkamp at the Riverside, while Freddie Ljungberg is ruled out by a rib injury.

Patrick Vieira should partner Silva in central midfield, while Robert Pires has an outside chance of featuring on the left flank.

However, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole and Jens Lehmann will also be rested from a defence already missing Pascal Cygan due to an ankle problem.

That leaves Martin Keown to partner Kolo Toure, with Gael Clichy and probably Lauren at full-back. It is nevertheless in attack where Arsenal will have the least experience, with Kanu at the African Nations Cup finals, while Jeremie Aliadiere and Wiltord are still injured.

Bergkamp, meanwhile, will be rested as he only returned from a five-week injury absence last weekend against Boro in the FA Cup.