Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insisted fans had "not seen the best" of Jose Antonio Reyes after his full debut ended in disappointment on Tuesday.
The Spanish hotshot was hoping to inpsire Arsenal to Carling Cup victory over Middlesbrough but his night ended on a sour note when he put through his own goal with five minutes remaining to ease Boro's passage into the final.
Wenger was unhappy at referee Dermot Gallagher's decision not to award a penalty for a challenge by Mark Schwarzer on Reyes shortly after half-time, and at Boro's physical approach to the game, but admitted that the evening had been a learning process for his debutant.
"We've not seen the best of him today,'' he said. "He was ill all night. He couldn't sleep at all - he had an infection and we decided at the last second to play him.
"I don't think he was at his best physically, but as well, it certainly takes time to adapt to that kind of intensity you had out there. Nobody can come on there and take that in their first game.
"I would say he has had a good view of what it is to play in the English Premier League.''
Meanwhile, Wenger revealed that midfielder Freddie Ljungberg's rib injury could sideline him for only two weeks.
"Freddie Ljungberg is nothing special, just bruised ribs,'' he said. "It could be two weeks."
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