Wenger supports Reyes in hoax row

Arsene Wenger insisted today that Jose Reyes has a future at Arsenal and said his comments about wanting to leave were tricked out of the vulnerable youngster.

Arsenal's £17 million Spanish star was caught out by a hoaxer who claimed to be Real Madrid's sporting director Emilio Butragueno during an interview last night with Spanish station Cadena Cope.

Wenger said he was unhappy about the methods used to deceive 21-year-old Reyes and accused the Spanish radio station of being dishonourable.

The manager said: "My reaction to the story is that when you take a young player, you take a challenge. There are periods when it goes less than well and when the players find it difficult. What has happened has taken nothing from my belief in the player and I intend to keep him at the club. A young player is up and down and he has been caught in one of those moments.

"We have a real challenge to make him one of the best players in the world and I feel we can do that."

During the programme, Reyes admitted he wanted to play for Real Madrid and that if he didn't leave Highbury he would have to carry on playing "with some bad people".