The player currently has a 1 match ban in Spain, and if the Spanish authorities decide to ask the FA to impose it, then he will have to miss the first Arsenal match which he is eligible for.

It is not inconceivable, and would certainly not be unprecedented, that the ban will not be transferred to England.

We are assuming, of course, that everything goes through in time for him to be eligible on Sunday, if not banned. And that they don't go through in time for him to be eligible for tonight's match in Middlesbrough. Reyes is due to have his medical at Arsenal today.

With the return of Bergkamp from injury at the weekend, things aren't quite so desperate on the attacking front anyway. We ought to be able to cope with his and Henry against City. It'd be nice to get a good look at Reyes too though, and to have a man of his quality available if only on the bench. Wiltord and Aliadiere will still be injured, and Kanu is in Africa.