Barcelona go into the crucial semi-final second leg with a 1-0 advantage and Reyes would like nothing more than to meet the Spanish giants at the Stade de France on May 17.

“Being Spanish, I would prefer to meet Barcelona in the final,” Reyes told PA Sport. “It would be a great European final and a big challenge for us.”

The Spanish international could not hide his delight after his team eliminated Villarreal in last night’s semi-final second-leg tie to reach the European Cup final.

Arsenal were made to sweat at El Madrigal Stadium but did enough to defend their 1-0 advantage taken at Highbury in the opening leg.

“We have suffered a lot,” admitted Reyes. “Having struggled in this game, it’s good for us to enjoy our qualification to the final.”

All could have been different had Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann not saved Juan Roman Riquelme’s penalty in the last minute of the game.

Reyes believed a great injustice would have been done had Riquelme scored, which would have taken the game to extra-time.

“It wasn’t a penalty,” said Reyes. “I think everyone saw that it wasn’t except the referee.

“I have to congratulate Lehmann, he made a very good save and had a very good game. He was our saviour.”

The Spanish international considers himself lucky to be able to play in a Champions League final at just 22 years of age.

“It means a lot to me and to the rest of the team,” he said. “We are all delighted and excited about the final.

“It’s difficult to describe what I feel with words. The mood in the changing room was of sheer joy and there was no one more happier than Arsene Wenger.”