JULIO BAPTISTA is desperate for Arsene Wenger to sign him
permanently. The Brazilian nicknamed The Beast is on loan at
Arsenal from Real Madrid and boss Wenger has still to decide
whether to take up an option on the attacking
midfielder.
With Jose Reyes on loan at the Bernabeu, and publicly stating he
never wants to return to the Gunners, a swap deal appears the
obvious solution. Baptista bagged both goals at Spurs in the 2-2
Carling Cup semi-final first-leg draw after an unfortunate
own-goal.
Their fightback from 2-0 down made Arsenal favourites to reach the
final and boosted Baptistas own cause into the bargain following
his four goals in the quarter-final slaughtering of
Liverpool.
Now the 25-year-old must prove he can make a name for himself in
the Premiership. And Arsenals Spanish keeper Manuel Almunia knows
how much Baptista wants to stay at the Emirates. He said: Julio
was unbelievable against Tottenham. He showed he is a good player
and Im sure he will soon show that in the Premier League.
He is physically and mentally strong. When he started at Arsenal
it wasnt very easy for him. But now he is happy here, starting to
train well and is playing better. He needs more chances in the
league but with the players we have up front, it is difficult to
get a place. Julio is trying to speak English as soon as possible.
He even tries to speak English with me. Sometimes he speaks
English to me and I say Julio, you can speak Spanish to me but I
understand he wants to learn. Julio wants to stay here because in
Madrid he was not very happy.
"The decision is difficult because Jose is involved as well and
Arsenal have to do a few things before Julio stays. But Jose is
happy in Spain and Julio is happy here.
Meanwhile Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that midfielder
Alex Hleb has been ruled out of action for four weeks after
suffering a hamstring injury. That is in addition to the loss of
Robin van Persie, who broke a bone in his foot in Arsenal's victory
over Manchester United on Sunday.