Wenger: Baptista not to blame
| Date | Time | C | Opponent | F | A | R | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 May | 3:00 PM | P | Portsmouth (A) | 0 | 0 | Draw |  |
Manager Arsène Wenger is refusing to blame on-loan striker Julio Baptista for his saved penalty against Portsmouth.
The Gunners had numerous other chances to win the match, and Wenger says that goalkeeper David James made a good save.
Wenger also needs to make a decision on the Brazilian's future, as Arsenal have the first option to purchase the striker.
The Frenchman said: "That (Baptista's future) has not yet been decided.
"He usually takes penalties and is not scared to take them.
"Overall we had a very young side out today and there was nobody else with enough experience to take it.
"Cesc Fabregas was next in line to take it but did not want to.
"I think James made a good save but we had many other chances."
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Femi
Posted on 16 May, 2007 at 02:32 PM - Reply
Robert Pires would have done better in that position. AW's problems have been in choosing the wrong player for very sensitive positions and an overdependence on Thierry Henry.
TH is God
Posted on 16 May, 2007 at 11:28 AM - Reply
Baptista is not a great player-He had his luck when we took him on loan.He is up there with Jeffers and Stephanovs as Wengers worst buys.
Jesus
Posted on 15 May, 2007 at 11:12 PM - Reply
Julio is a great player. He only need good luck.
Alex
Posted on 15 May, 2007 at 02:51 PM - Reply
Fabregas wanted to take it though but Fabregas pushed him out of the way...
clockendjim
Posted on 14 May, 2007 at 05:39 PM - Reply
I was at Fratton Park yesterday and I agree that no blame could be levelled at Baptista for the penalty miss; James just made a fantastic save.
However as usual, Baptista missed several other gilt-edged chances that almost any striker in the Premiership would have put away.
Our season would not have been so depressing if someone else had been filling Baptista's boots and converted just a small percentage of all the chances he has missed.
I think Wenger is throwing up a Baptista smokescreen to hide what has been his most catastrophic decision since arriving at the club. I hope there is no truth in rumours that Baptista may be given another year - he just cannot cut it in the Premiership.
abc
Posted on 14 May, 2007 at 02:56 PM - Reply
good one
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