Baptista can't wait to leave English football

Having sent the homesick José Antonio Reyes back to Spain last summer to get away from what seemed a nightmare life in England, it is unfortunate that his replacement coming in the opposite direction from La Liga has echoed the complaints of the Gunners' former number 9.

Reyes seemed to struggle with the pace of the game in the Premiership, as well as complaining about the weather and off the pitch problems with his family, unable to settle in the country, and Baptista, who moved as part of a swap deal for Reyes in the summer now admits to having the same problems, and is relishing the chance to return to Real Madrid and to try again to impress.

"The teams from the north of England are terrible," he said. "When we play them I have counted their centre backs booting up to 30 long balls upfield per game.

"The weather over here is killing me. We'll get one day of sunshine for every 30 days of rain, and it is driving me to despair. My girlfriend and my mother are frightened about not seeing the sun in England. They miss being in Madrid.

"Premiership football is very hard. I am Brazilian and I enjoy playing the ball, making clever touches and taking bicycle kicks. Arsène Wenger does not forbid me from doing them, but the game is so fast I don't even have time to think about them. The moment you stop to think, someone has taken the ball off you and knocked you to the ground."

The Brazilian did admit however, that despite the way the game is played by the majority of the teams in England, he is a fan of how Arsenal play the game.

"Over here they value a corner kick more than a fancy flick. I am lucky to be with Arsenal, as they are a team that likes to play proper football.

"I could stay at Arsenal, but right now I can't see myself anywhere for definite," he added. "But it's clear in my mind that I would tackle my second chance with Real with far more strength and maturity than I did in my first spell."

Let's hope for everyone's sakes that Baptista and Reyes are lining up for the same team next season, and let that team be anywhere but here!

User Comments

NO1 gunner

Posted on 21 Apr, 2007 at 09:08 AM - Reply

The least we can do is pay 1st class for him to go back to real madrid

mork12345

Posted on 20 Apr, 2007 at 08:41 PM - Reply

if you ever pulled off a good fancy flick i have yet to see it, you have failed in spain & now moan about england f*** off back home to the sun

Chris

Posted on 20 Apr, 2007 at 05:55 PM - Reply

Another case of a very good player who simply can't cut it in the Premier League. I was hoping he'd work out since if he could regain his Sevilla form for us, he'd be exactly what we've been missing.
He'll be gone along with Aliadiere, and we'll have Henry, Van Persie, Adebayor and Bendtner to choose from. An injury or two and that's a very lightweight strikeforce... I'm hoping we buy a striker capable of challenging for a starting berth in the summer. Adebayor is good but will never be a world beater and Bendtner is not going to consistently set the Premiership alight in his first season in the top tier.

H

Posted on 20 Apr, 2007 at 05:09 PM - Reply

Julio cant play a good ball to save his life

Megwill, Singapore

Posted on 20 Apr, 2007 at 09:41 AM - Reply

The earlier the better. He is worse than Reyes. Though Reyes was easily knocked down, he did manage to score quite a number of goals (check previous seasons EPL goals stats) and clicked with the teams at times by providing assist and free-kick to box.

I cannot say the same for Baptista, what had he done in the league? Everytime I see him a total mis-fit in the team.

Another person should be out is Aliadière who hasn't scored an EPL goal since what, 2002? He is a striker right? Can you imagine a sales person not bringing in any sales for 5 years!!! He would have been fired long ago.

Gooner Bob

Posted on 20 Apr, 2007 at 09:32 AM - Reply

I would drive him to the airport.The Beast dont make me laugh.Have you ever seen a Brazilian with a worse first touch.Good job he was only on loan

g

Posted on 20 Apr, 2007 at 09:00 AM - Reply

I coudnt stop laughing when i read his comments. the guy who falls on his ass, when trying to turn a defender wants to do fancy flicks!!! The only trick i have seen from him the art of passing the ball to the opposition without fail. By the way, is he sure he is Brazilian?

Simon

Posted on 20 Apr, 2007 at 08:51 AM - Reply

what you talking about the weather. Its been sunny for the last week and a half

herby sibley

Posted on 20 Apr, 2007 at 08:19 AM - Reply

i want baptista to stay he is a lot better than reyes (BEAST0

morpho

Posted on 19 Apr, 2007 at 09:41 PM - Reply

no point in getting rude... the guy tried hard and gave it his best... unfortenately it was not enough. best of luck to you Baptista

G_man

Posted on 19 Apr, 2007 at 09:22 PM - Reply

i like the beast but he aint made for the english game

Sanderson

Posted on 19 Apr, 2007 at 08:29 PM - Reply

fuck off baptista this is just because he isnt good enough

Samuel Sweden

Posted on 19 Apr, 2007 at 08:13 PM - Reply

I would have given him another year to settle. Have you forgotten the problems Henry had in the beginning? We had to wait for the first Bergkamp goal. And so on. Reyes didnt ever adapt to the fast passing of AFC but the performance of Baptista and Aliadière vs Liverpool was promising. But the case is closed since he wants to leave. Pity.

Darren,Gooner

Posted on 19 Apr, 2007 at 07:57 PM - Reply

Let Baptista go back to madrid he thinks he`s made it at Arsenal just because he scored 4 goals against a bunch of Liverpool kids.good thing we didnt sign him 2 years ago.over rated big time.good luck Baptista

Darren

Posted on 19 Apr, 2007 at 07:52 PM - Reply

Let Baptista go back Real Madrid.He`s only had one decent game this season(against Liverpool in the Carling Cup) and he seem`s to me to be over-rated.

Benn.

Posted on 19 Apr, 2007 at 07:24 PM - Reply

Baptista definetly not for english football. as a striker or AMF in sevilla he has scored more than 30 goals ....but for sure he cant adopt in the playing style of english football.as an ARSENAL fan i wish him all the best and also i hope to get Ribery...

cadillac12345

Posted on 19 Apr, 2007 at 04:57 PM - Reply

Funny... I can't wait to see Baptista out of English football either

delboy

Posted on 19 Apr, 2007 at 02:49 PM - Reply

not nice to say it but as an arsenal fan i do'nt want him to stay. he's lived off the four goals against pool reserves and two against spurs but thats it. his first touch is very poor for a team like asrenal and he does'nt look like he wants to be there. A new season will bring fresh hope but the defence has to be tighened up, leaking far to many goals

Leebuzzya

Posted on 19 Apr, 2007 at 01:41 PM - Reply

Maybe we should pay him a bit more to compensate.

Jon

Posted on 19 Apr, 2007 at 01:21 PM - Reply

Good. Let him go he's rubbish. Sell Reyes and get Ribery, James Milner or even Pedersen. Someone good!

norm007

Posted on 19 Apr, 2007 at 12:57 PM - Reply

Bye! Dont let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

Timus

Posted on 19 Apr, 2007 at 12:44 PM - Reply

Love to be able to read this story... but black and red text over a deep red background? Come on!

Krisotffer

Posted on 19 Apr, 2007 at 12:30 PM - Reply

Baptista is gone, when the new season is starting, and Reyes too. I think that Bendtner will take over the bench, and be the substitute, for Robin Van Persie and King Henry. I dont know if Adebayor is in the Arsenal Squad next year, because I dont think that Arsene Wenger will give Emmanuel Adebayor, what he wants, in his, proberbly, new Contract. Baptista is certainly history in Arsenal FC next year.

truth_hurts

Posted on 19 Apr, 2007 at 12:27 PM - Reply

Its a shame, but traditionally Latin player be that Brazilian, Spanish or porteguese struggle to settle and find form over here. Mendieta, Morientes, Veron, Viana, Angel, Forlan are just a few example of high profile players who struggled to settle. Juninho and Fabregas' are exceptions to the rule.

Thats why you have to respect Fabregas and Gilberto who despite a change of climate and culture have produce great form consistently. Looks like the Beast won't be back here next season which will be music to the ears of many Gunners fans. (me not being one of them).

Ashburton Babe

Posted on 19 Apr, 2007 at 12:14 PM - Reply

Good riddance, I can't stand him as a player. :o)

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